THE AUSTRALIAN
ntomologist
published by
THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND
Volume 24, Part 3, 7 November 1997
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Published by: THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND
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THE AUSTRALIAN ENTOMOLOGIST
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Cover: Strepsiptera are entomophagous parasitoids which exhibit extreme
sexual dimorphism, the males being winged and free-living while the wingless
females are permanently endoparasitic in the host. The specimen illustrated
belongs to the family Stylopidae and are parasites of Vespidae, Sphecidae and
Apoidea. Illustration by Yanni Martin.
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Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3): 97-108 97
NEW LARVAL FOOD PLANTS FOR SOME BUTTERFLIES
(LEPIDOPTERA) FROM NORTHERN AND CENTRAL
QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
M.F. BRABY
CSIRO Division of Entomology, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT 2601
Abstract
An annotated list of 54 species of new larval food plants for 33 butterfly species from northern
and central Queensland is presented. An additional six plant species are listed which confirm
recent or poorly documented records. Thirteen (21%) of the recorded plant species are based
on oviposition records only and the suitability of these plants may require further observation.
For some species of Lycaenidae, life history and biological notes of the early stages and
attendant ants are given.
Introduction
The following list of butterfly larval food plants is based on field
observations and rearing of the early stages from northern and central
Queensland during 1989-1995. The new records are in addition to those
reported in several recent papers on larval food plants for the region
(Valentine 1988, Sankowsky 1991, Braby 1995) and contribute to the
growing list of Australian butterfly food plants (see Common and
Waterhouse 1981, Dunn and Dunn 1991). The list is presented in annotated
form, summarising details of locality, date, immature stage, numbers and
rearing data. In some cases, details on the biology and behaviour of the early
stages are given where these appear to have been poorly documented,
particularly for the Lycaenidae. Several food plant records are based on
oviposition observations only, that is, a female was observed to lay an egg(s)
on a particular plant and their suitability may require confirmation.
Butterfly specific nomenclature follows that of Nielsen et al. (1996).
Introduced plants are designated by an asterisk (*).
HESPERIIDAE
Euschemon rafflesia (W.S. Macleay)
Tetrasyndra pubescens (Benth.) Perkins (Monimiaceae). 9 km W of Paluma,
12.iv.1995. Eggs and numerous larvae, in various instars, were found on
several plants growing in tall open forest dominated by Eucalyptus grandis
W.Hill.
Telicota colon (Fabricius)
Ophiuros exaltatus (L.) Kuntze (Poaceae). Mt Cleveland, 3.11.1991. One
final instar larva was collected from a leaf shelter and reared; a female
emerged on 22.iii.1991 after 14 days pupation.
Ischaemum australe R.Br. (Poaceae). 9 km SSE of Cardwell, 7.11.1992. A
female was collected after laying a single egg on a young green leaf in
Melaleuca swampland.
98 Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3)
PIERIDAE
Delias argenthona (Fabricius)
Amyema cambagei (Blakely) Danser (Loranthaceae). Ollera Creek, 10 km
NW of Rollingstone, 17.viii.1991. One pupa (parasitised) was found
attached to a stem of Allocasuarina cunninghamiana Miq. directly beneath
clumps of the mistletoe which grew abundantly on the host. No other
mistletoe species was present on A. cunninghamiana or in the immediate
vicinity, the host tree being isolated from others by more than 15 m. Dunn
(1995) recently reared fourth instar larvae to adult on this mistletoe.
Amyema miquelii (Lehm. ex Miq.) Tieghem (Loranthaceae). James Cook
University, Townsville; Damper Creek, 14 km SSE of Cardwell. All stages
were commonly found and reared between March and June on plants
parasitising Eucalyptus platyphylla F.Muell. in savanna woodland. This
plant was not listed by either Common and Waterhouse (1981) or Dunn and
Dunn (1991), but the above observations agree with those of Edwards
(1948), Fox (1995) and Dunn (1995) who reported A. miquelii as a food plant
in Queensland near Mitchell, Leyburn and Brisbane.
Amyema sanguinuem (F.Muell.) Danser (Loranthaceae). James Cook
University, Townsville, vi-vii.1990, 20.ii1.1991, 22-24.iv.1991. Three egg
clusters and nine larvae were found on this mistletoe parasitising Eucalyptus
platyphylla and E. tereticornis Smith. Four larvae were reared to adults.
Dendrophthoe glabrescens (Blakely) Barlow (Loranthaceae). Townsville.
Frequently used in suburban areas, particularly those clumps growing on
ornamental trees of Callistemon viminalis (Gaertner) G.Don. McLean (1993)
and Moss and Lithgow (1994) recently recorded this species as a larval food
plant at Cooktown and near Chinchilla, Queensland, respectively.
Diplatia furcata Barlow (Loranthaceae). 9 km SSE of Cardwell, 14.vi.1992.
Twelve eggs were found on foliage of this mistletoe parasitising Melaleuca
viridiflora Gaertner in paperbark swampland.
Scrubby Creek, 24 km SE of Cardwell, 29.viii.1992. Four larvae (instars IV
and V) were found on foliage of this mistletoe parasitising Melaleuca
viridiflora in paperbark woodland.
Delias mysis (Fabricius)
Dendrophthoe falcata (L.f.) Ettingsh. (Loranthaceae). Cardwell, 8.vi.1992.
A cluster of 11 eggs was found on a leaf of this mistletoe parasitising
ornamental Callistemon viminalis. W.A. Travers (pers. comm.) has noted
that the larvae, and sometimes those of D. nigrina, frequently utilise this
plant at Cardwell but only during the winter months. The mistletoe
illustrated and recorded for D. mysis at Kuranda by McCubbin (1971) is
almost certainly this species.
Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3) 99
Delias nigrina (Fabricius)
Dendrophthoe falcata (Loranthaceae). Cardwell. See notes under D. mysis.
The mistletoe illustrated and recorded for D. nigrina at Kuranda by
McCubbin (1971) is almost certainly this species.
Belenois java (Linnaeus)
Capparis canescens DC. (Capparaceae). Not listed by Common and
Waterhouse (1981), this species was recorded by Manski (1960) and more
recently by Forster (1991) from the coastal and subcoastal areas of
Queensland. I also recorded the early stages on this food plant at three inland
localities in savanna woodland:
30 km W of Mt. Surprise, 9.x.1991. Three mid instar larvae.
Running River, Hidden Valley, 14.x.1991. Numerous eggs were found in
clusters of up to 30 on young terminal shoots.
Leichhardt Range, 25 km (by road) S of Burdekin Falls, 26.iv.1992. 15
pupal exuviae.
Cepora perimale (Donovan)
Capparis canescens (Capparaceae). Mt. Kulburn, 20 km NW of Townsville,
11.ix.1993. One final instar larva and one pupa were found attached to the
upperside of leaves in savanna woodland.
NYMPHALIDAE
Polyura sempronius (Fabricius)
Acacia mearnsii De Wild. (Mimosaceae). Nelly Bay, Magnetic Island,
18.xi.1989. One late instar larva and one pupa (parasitised) were collected
from foliage in a suburban garden by R. Braley. A. mearnsii is not
indigenous to the island.
Albizia canescens Benth. (Mimosaceae). Cape Cleveland, 12.viii.1990. One
egg and two larvae (instars I and IV) were found on the upperside of foliage
of a 1.5 m high plant in eucalypt open forest.
Vanessa kershawi (McCoy)
Helichrysum rupicola DC. (Asteraceae). 8 km W of Paluma, 22.i.1994,
12.05 pm. A female was observed to lay a single egg on a leaf at a roadside
verge in tall open forest.
Junonia villida (Fabricius)
Hyptis suavolens (L.) Poit. (Lamiaceae). Mt. Stuart, Townsville, 12.11.1991.
One larva was found feeding on foliage of herb growing amongst rocks at
summit.
*Ruellia sp. (Acanthaceae) - Hermit Park, Townsville, 20.xi.1992. A female
was observed ovipositing on the underside of leaves on recently germinated
plants following rainfall in a suburban garden.
100 Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3)
*Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (L.) Vahl (Verbenaceae). James Cook
University, Townsville,.i.1992. One larva was collected and reared to adult
by M. Overton.
LYCAENIDAE
Paralucia pyrodiscus (Doubleday)
Bursaria incana Lindley (Pittosporaceae). Walsh River, 11 km WNW of
Herberton, 31.v.1991, 19.viii.1992. All stages and attendant ants, Notoncus
gilberti Forel, were collected from a localised colony (Wood 1992) in
savanna woodland at 750 m. The early stages were associated only with very
small stunted plants («0.8 m high, frequently <0.4 m high) which had
juvenile leaves only. Eggs were found only on the trunk at the base of the
plant; larvae and pupae were below ground against the main trunk with
attendant ants. One male emerged in captivity on 4.ix.1992 after a pupal
duration of 15 days.
19 km W of Paluma, 28.viii.1993. All stages of a small localised colony and
attendant ants, N. gilberti, were located on small stunted plants (<0.5 m high)
on granitic soils in savanna woodland.
Citriobatus spinescens (F.Muell.) Druce (Pittosporaceae). Bauhinia Creek,
20 km ESE of Duaringa, 6, 8.ix.1990. Eggs, larvae (many of which were
parasitised), one pupa and attendant ants, N. gilberti, were collected from a
small colony in savanna woodland on alluvial soils adjacent to a creek. The
early stages were associated with very small plants (<0.5 m high) having
juvenile leaves only. Eggs were found only at base of plants, mostly on the
main trunk but also on leaf litter. No evidence of adult or early stages was
found during subsequent visits on 18.vi.1991 or 31.iii.1992 following the
January 1991 floods (Cyclone Joy).
Hypochrysops ignitus (Leach)
Acacia mangium Willd. (Mimosaceae). Porters Creek, 16 km SSE of
Cardwell, 7.iii.1994. Six early to mid instar larvae with attendant ants,
Papyrius sp., were located on foliage of a 1.0 m high plant in the ecotone
between gallery rainforest and paperbark woodland.
Hypochrysops digglesii (Hewitson)
Amyema bifurcatum (Benth.) Tieghem (Loranthaceae). Cape Pallarenda, 8
km NW of Townsville, 11.v.1991. Two eggs were located on leaves of
mistletoe parasitising Eucalyptus tessellaris F.Muell. Larval feeding scars
and attendant ants, Crematogaster sp., were also evident.
Cranbrook, Townsville, 30.vi.1992. Several empty egg shells, three mid
instar larvae and attendant ants, Crematogaster sp., were collected from
foliage of the mistletoe parasitising E. tessellaris in a parkland of remnant
savanna woodland.
Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3) 101
Amyema miquelii (Loranthaceae). James Cook University, Townsville, iii-
iv.1991. All stages and attendant ants, Crematogaster sp., were found on a
large clump of mistletoe parasitising Eucalyptus tereticornis. Several adults
were reared from larvae or pupae. Most eggs were laid singly on the leaves
of the mistletoe but others were on stems and flowers and some on the
eucalypt leaves of the host tree amongst the mistletoe. Early instar larvae
were noted to eat only the epidermis of the leaf whereas later instar larvae
tended to consume the whole leaf. The early instar larvae did not retreat into
shelters, typical of later instar larvae, but remained exposed on leaves during
the day, usually one or sometimes two larvae rested on a leaf. Closer
examination of these early instar larvae revealed each had eaten a relatively
deep but narrow longitudinal groove through the leaf; they remained in this
groove so that the body was at least half embeded in the leaf. Only later
instar larvae were observed to construct the typical twisted shelters, made by
folding a leaf along the groove and then twisting or curling the leaf with silk.
Larvae fed most actively at night but all instars also fed during the day.
Pupae were usually found in twisted leaf shelters, but sometimes under loose
bark of the host tree near the mistletoe clump, or under bark on the ground at
the base of the host tree near the attendant ants’ nest (c. 3 m from mistletoe
clump).
Amyema sanguineum (Loranthaceae). James Cook University, Townsville,
20.ii.1992. One final instar larva with attendant ants, Crematogaster sp., was
collected from a leaf shelter; it pupated on 2.iii.1992 and a female emerged
10 days later.
Dendrophthoe homoplastica (Blakely) (Loranthaceae). James Cook
University, Townsville, iv.1991, 10.xii.1992. All stages and attendant ants,
Crematogaster sp., were recorded on this mistletoe parasitising Callistemon
viminalis. Several larvae were reared to adult in captivity, the pupal stage
varying from 16 to 20 days.
Ogyris zosine (Hewitson)
Amyema bifurcatum (Loranthaceae). Leichhardt Range, 14.5 km (by road) S
of Burdekin Falls, 26.iv.1992. Eight late instar larvae and two parasitised
larvae were found within a nest of Camponotus sp. at the base of a large
Eucalyptus papuana F.Muell.
37 km S of Lynd Junction, 4.v.1992. One empty pupal shell was collected
under loose bark at the base of a small E. papuana supporting a clump of
mistletoe. Adults and food plant were common in the area.
42 km NE of Lynd Junction, 6.v.1992. Ten larvae, of various instars, one
pupa and attendant ants, Camponotus sp., were located at the base of E.
papuana with clumps of mistletoe. Most larvae were in ant galleries in the
soil or beneath leaf litter and debris but some were above the ground under
loose bark of the host tree. A female was observed in the mid afternoon
102 Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3)
displaying characteristic pre-oviposition behaviour which involved trailing
the abdomen over the main trunk of the mistletoe.
Stuart, Townsville, 25.vii.1993. Two pupae and attendant ants, Camponotus
sp., were collected from beneath a rock at the base of a Eucalyptus tessellaris
supporting clumps of the mistletoe.
Amyema cambagei (Loranthaceae). Ollera Creek, 10 km NW of
Rollingstone, 12.11.1992. Two mid instar larvae and attendant ants,
Camponotus sp., were found in a hollow of a branch of Allocasuarina
cunninghamiana which supported a large clump of the mistletoe, the foliage
of which had been extensively eaten; the mistletoe grew in abundance on the
host tree and no other species of mistletoe was present. The larvae accepted
foliage of A. cambagei in captivity. A female was observed displaying
characteristic pre-oviposition behaviour but did not appear to oviposit; two
females were observed displaying similar behaviour on the same tree several
months earlier on 20.viii.1991. The record confirms the listing in Common
and Waterhouse (1981), which makes only vague reference to this species as
a larval food plant.
Amyema miquelli (Loranthaceae). James Cook University, Townsville. This
mistletoe was utilised commonly during the wet season, especially clumps
parasitising Eucalyptus platyphylla; many adults were reared from larvae or
pupae, the larvae being attended by Camponotus sp. ants
Dendrophthoe glabrescens (Loranthaceae). Ollera Creek, 10 km NW of
Rollingstone, 26.1.1992. One mid instar larva was collected from the ant nest
of Camponotus sp. at the base of a small Melaleuca sp. supporting a large
clump of the mistletoe. It was reared in captivity on the leaves of D.
glabrescens and pupated on 16.iii.1992, a female emerged 12 days later.
Ogyris aenone (Waterhouse)
Diplatia furcata (Loranthaceae). Scrubby Creek, 24 km SE of Cardwell,
8.x.1989. One early instar larva was recorded on a leaf of this mistletoe
parasitsing Melaleuca viridflora.
Porters Creek, 16 km SSE of Cardwell, 15.vi.1992, 30.viii.1992. Three
empty pupal shells were collected from within a hollow dead branch and
under loose bark of M. viridflora; they were found next to clumps of the
mistletoe, the leaves of which showed characteristic signs of past larval
feeding and which was parasitising the host tree. No other mistletoe species
were growing on the host tree.
Ogyris iphis (Waterhouse & Lyell)
Amyema bifurcatum (Loranthaceae). 21 km W of Paluma, 19.ii.1994. Five
final instar larvae with attendant ants, Froggatella kirbii (Lowne), were
collected under loose bark near the base of a Eucalyptus citriodora Hook.
supporting several clumps of the mistletoe. No other mistletoe species was
Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3) 103
parasitising the host tree. The larvae were reared in captivity to adults with
five females emerging in iii.1994.
Dendrophthoe glabrescens (Loranthaceae). 15 km W of Paluma, 23.vi.1990.
Two final instar larvae with attendant ants, F. kirbii, were collected under
loose bark of a branch of Eucalyptus acmenoides supporting the mistletoe in
open forest. The larvae were reared to adults, emerging in viii.1990, with the
pupal stage varying from 19 (male) to 20 (female) days. Occasionally the
pupae produced a series of audible clicks.
Jalmenus eichhorni Staudinger
Acacia holosericea G.Don (Mimosaceae). Forty Mile Scrub, 25.ii.1994. All
stages and attendant ants, Iridomyrmex sanguineus Forel, were collected
from a colony (discovered by G.A. Wood) on regenerating plants at a
roadside verge disturbed by recent road grading activities.
Deudorix epijarbas (Moore)
Salacia chinensis L. (Hippocrateaceae). Garners Beach, 8.vi.1992. One
female was reared from a larva collected from within fruit. The larva
pupated on 25.vi.1992 and a female emerged 18 days later. Before pupation
the larva left the fruit and pupated between strips of bark placed in a breeding
box.
Candalides absimilis (C. Felder)
Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre (Fabaceae). Damper Creek, 14 km SSE of
Cardwell, 30.xi.1991. A female was collected after laying five eggs on
young terminal leaves of very small seedlings (<150 mm high) along the
edge of gallery rainforest during the mid-morning. All eggs were laid singly
and three of these hatched two days later. On 6.xii.1991 one first instar larva
and one mid instar larva were found on the underside of leaves. On 9.x.1993
another larva was collected from the underside of a leaflet of regenerating
foliage; it was reared in captivity but would only eat the new soft growth.
The larva pupated on 17.x.1993 and a female emerged 10 days later.
Atalaya salicifolia (A.DC.) Blume (Sapindaceae). The Pinnacles, Hervey
Range, 27.1.1992. One larva was collected from flower buds by JM.
Billington.
Candalides erinus (Fabricius)
Cassytha pubescens R.Br. (Lauraceae). 10 km N of Nebo, 10.ix.1990.
Numerous eggs were found on the softer young vines which grew in
abundance over Melaleuca nervosa (Lindley) Cheel. Adults were common
in the immediate vicinity and one final instar larva was collected by
vigorously shaking the host tree.
9 km SSE of Cardwell, 27.xi.1991. Several eggs were located on the new
growth of a large vine which grew profusely over M. nervosa in paperbark
swampland; adults were common in the area.
104 Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3)
Mt. Kulburn, 20 km NW of Townsville, 11.ix.1993. One empty pupal shell
was recovered from a vine growing in savanna woodland.
Nacaduba berenice (Herrich-Schaffer)
Atalaya salicifolia (Sapindaceae). The Pinnacles, Hervey Range, 27.1.1992.
A female was observed by J.M. Billington ovipositing on new terminal
foliage. Three larvae, associated with numerous small black ants, were
collected from flower buds.
Guioa acutifolia Radlk. (Sapindaceae). Bluewater State Forest, 22 km (by
road) SW of Bluewater, 26.xii.1991. ‘Two females were observed ovipositing
on new terminal leaves in tall open forest with a rainforest understorey.
Three empty eggs and one early instar larva were also found on the new
growth. All eggs were laid singly.
Nacaduba biocellata (C. & R. Felder)
Acacia bidwillii Benth. (Mimosaceae). James Cook University, Townsville,
10.xi.1990. Two larvae collected from flower buds were reared to pupation.
Two males emerged on 22, 26.xi.1990, the pupal stage being eight days in
captivity.
Psychonotis caelius (C. Felder)
Alphitonia petriei Braid (Rhamnaceae). Bluewater State Forest, 34 km (by
road) SW of Bluewater, 27.iii.1993. Two females were observed during the
early afternoon ovipositing on small plants (<0.5 m high) in rainforest; a
further three eggs were located on a single leaf. All eggs were laid singly on
the underside of the leaves, along the edge of a vein. One egg hatched about
four days after being laid.
12 km (by road) W of Kennedy, 27.11.1994. One final instar larva was
collected from the underside of a leaf of small plant (c. 3 m high) in a gap in
rainforest. It pupated on 4.11.1994 and a male emerged eight days later.
Jackson (1996) recently recorded this species as a food plant at Paluma.
Theclinesthes miskini (T.P. Lucas)
Acacia aulacocarpa Benth. (Mimosaceae). Paluma, 17.iii.1992. A female
was observed ovipositing along the edge of upland rainforest. The eggs were
laid on new softer foliage of a branch, about 3 m above the ground, which
had numerous small black ants.
Acacia crassicarpa Benth. (Mimosaceae). Near Damper Creek, 14 km SSE
Cardwell, 1, 11.11.1992. Eggs and several larvae, in various instars, were
found on foliage of two small plants (0.4 m, 0.6 m high) in eucalypt open
forest. Larvae on each plant were attended by different species of
unidentified ants.
Acacia mangium Willd. (Mimosaceae). Damper Creek, 14 km SSE
Cardwell, 9.11.1990. Four larvae with attendant ants were found on a small
Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3) 198
plant (c. 0.5 m high) along the margin of gallery rainforest. On 12.xii.1991
eggs, numerous larvae and attendant ants were found on two additional
plants, also small (<1.0 m high). The eggs had been deposited singly on
terminal shoots and stems. The larvae were feeding mostly on the phyllodes
but two were feeding on fleshy galls. In captivity larvae were reared to
adults on both phyllodes and galls; the pupal stage lasting eight days.
Eucalyptus clarksoniana D.J. Carr & S.G.M. Carr (Myrtaceae). Near
Damper Creek, 14 km SSE Cardwell, 2.xii.1991. A female was observed to
lay two eggs on the stem of a very small plant (c. 100 mm high) regenerating
in eucalypt open forest after fire two months earlier. Small black ants were
present. On 4.iii.1992 another female was observed to lay a single egg on
young soft terminal foliage of another small plant (0.5 m high). Numerous
small black ants were noted attending leaf hoppers. On 11.iii.1991 a third
female was observed ovipositing on the stems, axils and young terminal
leaves of another very small plant (c. 150 mm high). On this occasion,
however, no ants were present.
Eucalyptus tessellaris (Myrtaceae). Ollera Creek, 10 km NW of
Rollingstone, 14.iv.1995. A female was disturbed after laying eight eggs on
leaves and axils of a small plant (0.4 m high) in an open cleared area. All
eggs had been laid singly.
Theclinesthes onycha (Hewitson)
Cycas media R.Br. (Cycadaceae). Forster and Machin (1994) made vague
reference to this specioes as a possible food plant. In the Cardwell district,
females were found to commonly use this species in lowland eucalypt open
forest. They laid numerous eggs but only on new, soft fronds arising from
apex of the trunk, especially (but not always) on plants regenerating after
fire. The larvae fed only on new, soft growth, sometimes causing
considerable damage such that regeneration would be delayed until the next
season; the fronds of such plants had a scorched sticky appearance. Larvae
fed at night or sometimes very late in the afternoon, retreating by day to hide
at the base of new fronds. They were attended by at least two species of ants,
including Camponotus sp. The pupae were well-hidden and usually found at
the base of older fronds some distance from the apex of the trunk. The pupal
duration in March was six days.
Cape Upstart National Park, 28.ix.1991. Eggs and larvae were located on
new developing fronds, in similar circumstances to those described above.
Theclinesthes sulpitius (Miskin)
Suaeda australis (R.Br.) Mog. (Chenopodiaceae). Cleveland Bay,
Townsville, 25.viii.1991. Eggs and an early instar larva were collected from
terminal leaves and several late instar larvae were found resting on dry sand
beneath the food plant, which formed a dense mat in saltmarsh habitat. One
pupa was also found beneath the plant, concealed in the crevice of driftwood.
106 Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3)
Adults were locally common, frequently alighting on the plant. Several adults
were reared from larvae in captivity, the pupal duration in September being
eight days.
Ross River, Townsville Golf Course, 2, 4.iv.1993. All stages were found
commonly in saltmarsh habitat along a river flat. Eggs were found singly on
terminal foliage, the larvae mostly on leaves. A pre-pupa and empty pupal
shells were found beneath the plant attached to dead sticks, beneath rocks, on
loose sand or to branches of the food plant. The pupal duration was six days
in April. The habitat, including S. australis, was noted to be periodically
inundated by saline water from high tides.
Jamides phaseli (Mathew)
Indigofera pratensis F.Muell. (Fabaceae). Cardwell, 27.11.1992. Two final
instar larvae were collected from flowers in eucalypt open forest. A male
emerged on 8.iii.1992 and a female on 9.iii.1992, the pupal duration being
six days.
Catochrysops panormis (C. Felder)
Galactia tenuiflora (Sprengel) Wight & Arn. (Fabaceae). Near Damper
Creek, 15 km SSE of Cardwell, 11.iii.1992. A female was observed to lay
two eggs on young flower buds of a creeper growing over rocks in eucalypt
open forest. The eggs were concealed deep inside the calyx.
Lampides boeticus (Linnaeus)
*Crotalaria goreensis Guillemin & Perrottet (Fabaceae). Cardwell,
25.iv.1990. A female was observed to lay a single egg on a flower bud at a
roadside verge in open forest.
Campaspe River, 17.5 km NE of Pentland, 29.iv.1992. Numerous eggs were
found on flower buds and two mid instar larvae were found feeding inside
the buds. Five final instar larvae (later found to be parasitised) were
collected from the base of the trunk in river sand.
Crotalaria mitchellii Benth. (Fabaceae). Blackdown Tableland (23°42’S,
149*07'E), 1.iv.1992. Numerous eggs and one final instar larva were found
on the flower buds in savanna woodland on alluvial soil.
*Crotalaria novae-hollandiae DC. (Fabaceae). Junction Creek, 9 km W of
Mt. Surprise, 6.v.1992. Numerous eggs were located on flower buds along
the edge of a watercoarse in river sand. Adults were common.
*Indigofera suffruticosa Miller (Fabaceae). Townsville, 9.viii.1991. A
female was observed to lay a single egg at the base of a flower at a roadside
verge.
Zizeeria karsandra (Moore)
Glinus oppositifolia (L.) R.DC. (Molluginaceae). Campaspe River, 17.5 km
NE of Pentland, 29.iv.1992. Numerous eggs and one mid instar larva were
Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3) 107
found on the underside of leaves in the sand of a dry river. Adults were very
common.
Famegana alsulus (Herrich-Schaffer)
Galactia tenuiflora (Fabaceae). James Cook University, Townsville,
6.iii.1994. A female was observed ovipositing on terminal flower buds of a
creeper in savanna woodland. All eggs were laid singly.
Indigofera pratensis. Cardwell, 27.11.1992. Two final instar larvae were
collected from flowers in eucalypt open forest. One larva pupated on
1.iii.1992 and a male emerged six days later.
Ilbilbie, 27.iii.1992. One final instar larva collected feeding on flowers in
eucalypt open forest. A male emerged on 12.iv.1992.
Vigna lanceolata Benth. (Fabaceae). James Cook University, Townsville,
10.iii.1991. A female was observed to lay a single egg on a developing leaf
bud in savanna woodland.
Zizula hylax (Fabricius)
Dipteracanthus australasicus ssp. corynothecus (Benth. R. Brown
(Acanthaceae) (voucher AQ 625003, Queensland Herbarium). 8 km S of
Wandoan, 16.iii.1994. Three females were observed to lay four eggs at a
roadside verge in remnant woodland. The eggs were laid singly on the
flower buds or corolla and sepals of expanded flowers. Many other eggs
were found on flowers. Examination of older fruits revealed frass and signs
of recent feeding activity but no larvae or pupae were found. Adults of both
sexes were very common near the plants.
Euchrysops cnejus (Fabricius)
Macroptilium atropurpureum (DC.) Urban (Fabaceae). Harvey Range,
approx. 40 km WSW of Townsville, 21.1.1990. Numerous eggs were found
on flower buds and several larvae found feeding inside the flowers of a
creeper growing over rock scree in savanna woodland. Adult females were
common, flying close to or settling upon the leaves,
James Cook University, Townsville, 4.11.1992. A female was observed
ovipositing on a creeper in a disturbed area of savanna woodland. All eggs
were laid singly on stems, stipules, flower buds and the upper and underside
of leaflets.
Acknowledgments
I am particularly grateful to Russell Cumming (Department of Environment,
Townsville) and Betsy Jackes (Botany Department, James Cook University
of North Queensland) for identifying many of the plant specimens; Peter
Jobson (Botany Department, James Cook University of North Queensland)
and Lyn Craven (National Herbarium, CSIRO) also assisted with plant
determinations; Steve Shattuck (Division of Entomology, CSIRO) identified
108 Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3)
the attendant ants of lycaenid species; and Ted Edwards, Andrew Atkins and
Max Moulds kindly commented on a draft of the manuscript. Jeremy
Billington, Graham Wood, Bill Travers, Max Overton and Rick Braley
kindly provided or drew my attention to several food plant records.
References
BRABY, M.F. 1995. Larval and adult food plants for some tropical satyrine butterflies in
northern Queensland. Australian Entomologist 22: 5-13.
COMMON, I.F.B. and WATERHOUSE, D.F. 1981. Butterflies of Australia. Revised Edition.
Angus and Roberson, Sydney.
DUNN, K.L. 1995. Life history notes on two jezabel butterflies, Delias nigrina (Fabricius) and
D. argenthona (Fabricius). Victorian Entomologist 25: 73-78.
DUNN, K.L. and DUNN, L.E. 1991. Review of Australian Butterflies: distribution, life history
and taxonomy. Part 4: Family Nymphalidae. Privately published by the authors, Melbourne.
EDWARDS, E.O. 1948. Notes on butterflies of western Queensland. Australian Zoologist 11:
225-232.
FORSTER, P.I. 1991. Capparis canescens (Capparaceae), an additional host plant for
Anaphaeis java teutonia (Lepidoptera: Pieridae). Queensland Naturalist 31: 41.
FORSTER, P.I. and MACHIN, P.J. 1994. Cycad host plants for Lilioceris nigripes (Fabricius)
(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and Theclinesthes onycha (Hewitson) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae).
Australian Entomologist 21: 99-102.
FOX, P.J. 1995. New foodplants, temporal data and a new record for some Australian
butterflies. Victorian Entomologist 25: 24-25.
JACKSON., R.V. 1996. Lepidoptera breeding records from Alphitonia species (Rhamnaceae)
at Paluma, north Queensland. Australian Entomologist 23: 75-76.
MANSKI, M.J. 1960. Food plants of some Queensland Lepidoptera. Queensland Naturalist
16: 68-73.
McCUBBIN, C. 1971. Australian Butterflies. Nelson, Melbourne.
MCLEAN, J.A. 1993. Notes on two host plants of Delias argenthona argenthona (Fabricius)
(Lepidoptera: Pieridae) in north Queensland. Queensland Naturalist 32 (3-4): 82-83.
MOSS, J.T. and LITHGOW, G. 1994. New butterfly records from the Chinchilla region,
Queensland, with special reference to mistletoe butterflies and their larval host plants at
Barakula State Forest. Queensland Naturalist 33 (1-2): 10-16.
NIELSEN, E.S., EDWARDS, E.D. and RANGSI, T.V. (eds) 1996. Checklist of the
Lepidoptera of Australia. Monographs on Australian Lepidoptera, Volume 4. CSIRO
Publishing, Australia.
SANKOWSKY, G. 1991. New food plants for some Queensland butterflies. Australian
Entomological Magazine 18: 9-19.
VALENTINE, P.S. 1988. Some new larval food plants for north Queensland Lycaenidae
(Lepidoptera). Australian Entomological Magazine 14: 89-91.
WOOD, G.A. 1992. New distribution records for Lycaenidae (Lepidoptera) from northern
Queensland. Australian Entomological Magazine 19: 28.
Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3): 109-115 109
RECORDS OF INSECTS ASSOCIATED WITH ACACIA DEALBATA
LINK. IN TASMANIA
R. BASHFORD
Forestry Tasmania, GPO Box 207B, Hobart, Tas 7001
Abstract
New records of insects associated with Acacia dealbata Link. in Tasmania are presented, based
on records of the Tasmanian Forest Insect Collection. Previously published records are
included, making a total of 97 species from 36 families. Species of Cerambycidae,
Curculionidae, Chrysomelidae, Psyllidae and Geometridae are most common on silver wattle.
Introduction
Silver wattle, Acacia dealbata Link., is the most common bipinnate wattle
species growing in Tasmania (Costermans 1991). Considerable research
interest has developed in it as a resource for pulpwood and sawlog
production, as a weed in plantations of eucalypts and softwoods in Australia
and as an invasive weed overseas.
Several researchers have surveyed and listed insect species associated with
A. dealbata in the mainland states of Australia but have included few records
from Tasmania. Van den Berg (1982a, b, c) collected extensively throughout
the mainland for biological control agents for use in South Africa, where
invasion into native vegetation and plantations was a major problem (van den
Berg 1977); he listed 70 species attacking A. dealbata. New (1979, 1983)
examined seed predation and the abundance of Coleoptera on acacias in
Southern Victoria and reported that 115 morphospecies of Coleoptera had
been collected in Victoria on A. dealbata during a three year period.
Hawkeswood (1994) reviewed the biology of chrysomelids associated with
Acacia and Webb (1994) listed the wood inhabiting insect fauna of some
Acacia species.
Research conducted in Tasmania on the fireblight beetle, Pyrgoides orphana
Erichson (Elliott 1978), detailed the life history and effects on growth of
planted silver wattle. Bashford (1991) presented records of wood-boring
Coleoptera and associated insects reared from A. dealbata billets from
several sites in Tasmania.
This report includes only. those species reared either from timber samples,
from galls or feeding on foliage for at least some stage of their life cycle.
Many species of Coleoptera collected have been omitted due to doubt as to
their feeding status on A. dealbata. Consequently this list of injurious insects
cannot be considered complete.
Results
The following species list (Table 1) has been compiled over a period of 20
years. It includes records from regular collections at long term survey sites
on the East Coast (Elliott and Bashford, unpublished data) and incidental
collecting throughout the range of A. dealbata in Tasmania.
110 Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3)
Specimens of all species listed are lodged in the Tasmanian Forest Insect
Collection, Forestry Tasmania.
Table 1. Insects Associated with Acacia dealbata in Tasmania.
A. Species injurious to Acacia dealbata. References *
COLEOPTERA
Cerambycidae
Ambeodontus pilosus (Pascoe)
Amphirhoe decora Newman
Ancita crocogaster (Boisduval)
Ancita marginicollis (Boisduval)
Aphneope quadrimaculator Poll
Bethelium signiferum (Newman)
Illaena exilis Erichson
Mecynopus cothurnatus Erichson
Notoceresium impressiceps Blackburn
Phacodes personatus (Erichson)
Probatodes plumula (Newman)
Rhinophthalmus nasutus (Shuckard)
Stenocentrus suturalis (Olivier)
Syllitus grammicus (Newman)
Tessaromma undatum Newman NR
Zoedia divisa Pascoe
UA ROCA CA
un
CA
Anns
PRPPWOAnMPFFWNPWHH
Cn CA CA
CA
Curculionidae
Belus bidentatus (Donovan) 4,
Belus bimaculatus Pascoe 4,
Orthorhinus cylindrirostris (Fabricius) 3,
Pachyura cinerea (Blanchard) 4,
Pentamimus australis (Erichson) 5
Rhinotia haemoptera Kirby N
Saccolaemus carinicollis (Lea) N
Saccolaemus sp. 5
Bostrychidae
Xylobosca bispinosa (Macleay) 3
Xylobosca canina (Blackburn) 5
Chrysomelidae
Calomela curtisi (Kirby) 4
Calomela sp. 3
Dicranosterna immaculata (Marsham) 4
Haltica pagana Blackburn NR
Platycolaspisaustralis Blackburn NR
Pyrgoides orphana (Erichson) 2,3,4
Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3)
Table 1. (continued)
Pyrgoides sp.A
Pyrgoides sp.B
Pyrgoides sp.C
Lyctidae
Trogoxylon ypsilon (Lesne)
Buprestidae
Cisseispauperula (Kerremans)
Melobasis purpurascens (Fabricius)
Lycidae
Metriorrhynchus rhipidius MacLeay
Bruchidae
Melanterius sp.
Scarabaeidae
Diphucephala colaspidoides (Gyllenhal)
HEMIPTERA
Psyllidae
Acizzia acaciaedealbatae (Froggatt)
Acizzia conspicua Tuthill
Acizzia sp. C
Acizzia sp. D
Acizzia sp. E
Acizzia sp. G
Acizzia sp. J
Acizzia sp. K
Phellopsylla sp. B
Cicadidae
Cicadetta torrida (Erichson)
Psaltoda moerens (Germar)
Flatidae
Siphanita acuta (Walker)
Euphanta munda (Walker)
Membracidae
Ceraon tasmaniae (Fairmaire)
Pseudococcidae
Melancoccus albizziae (Maskell)
Tingidae
Epimixia sp.
HYMENOPTERA
Pteromalidae
Trichilogaster trilineata (Cameron)
NR
NR
111
112
Table 1. (continued)
Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3)
LEPIDOPTERA
Anthelidae
Anthela addita Walker
Anthela connexa (Walker)
Anthela nicothoe (Boisduval)
Anthela ocellata (Walker)
Anthela sp.
Pterolocera sp.
Arctiidae
Asura cervicalis Walker
Lymantriidae
Acyphas leucomelas (Walker)
Acyphas sp.
Teia anartoides Walker
Geometridae
Boarmia sp.
Chlenias sp.
Chlorocoma dichloraria (Guenee)
Dichromodes ainaria Guenee
Microdes squamulata Guenee
Thalaina inscripta Walker
Oecophoridae
Chryptophasa albacosta Lewin
Psychidae
Lepidoscia arctiella Walker
Lasiocampidae
Pinara sp.
Noctuidae
Praxis porphyretica Guenee
Cossidae
Endoxyla lituratus (Donovan)
Cosmopterigidae
Macrobathra chrysotoxa Meyrick
Lycaenidae
Pseudalmenus chlorinda (Blanchard)
Pseudalmenus chlorinda zephyrus Waterhouse & Lyell
Tortricidae
Epiphyas ashworthana (Newman)
Epiphyas xylodes (Meyrick)
1,3,4
Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3) 113
Table 1. (continued)
THYSANOPTERA
Phlaeothripidae
Kladothrips sp. 4
B. Species which are inquilines or parasites in galls of Acacia dealbata.
LEPIDOPTERA
Gracillariidae
Acrocercops eumetalla Meyrick NR
Tineidae
Comodica mystacinella Walker NR
Pyralidae
Gauna aegusalis Walker NR
Tortricidae
Holocola triangulana Meyrick NR
Oecophoridae
Stathmopoda cephalaea Meyrick NR
HYMENOPTERA
Pteromalidae
Coelocyba sp. NR
Ormyromorpha sp. NR
Eulopidae
Chrysoatomus sp. NR
Tetrastichus sp. NR
Torymidae
Megastigmus sp. NR
Bethylidae
Sierola sp. NR
Ichneumonidae
Delopia sp. NR
* 1 = Evans (1943); 2 = Elliott (1978); 3 = Elliott and de Little (1985); 4 = Bashford
(1990); 5 = Bashford (1991); 6 = Bashford (1993); 7 = Couchman and Couchman
(1977); NR = New record for Tasmania.
Discussion
Many of the species listed have been previously recorded on the mainland on
a range of wattle species by van den Berg (1982), New (1979), Webb (1994)
and Hunt et al. (1996). All of the Lepidoptera listed from Uromycladium
galls have been reared by New (1982) in the Melbourne area from galls on A.
decurrens. Trees infested by these fungal galls are often severely debilitated.
114 Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3)
There is an increased interest in the establishment of A. dealbata plantations
in Tasmania, on the mainland and overseas for the production of a wide
range of timber products. Knowledge of the insect species which are or have
potential to become pest species in a plantation situation is important and
would be of value to tree growers both overseas and in Australia for possible
integrated pest management (IPM) development. Several of the species
recorded from Tasmania are recognised as impediments to plantation
establishment; for example Pyrgoides orphana, a chrysomelid beetle which
causes reduced growth increment and, with repeated defoliation, death of
trees.
Acknowledgments
My thanks to Lionel Hill (DPIE) for identification of the noctuid, Len
Couchman for identification of the lycaenids and various curators at ANIC,
Canberra, for identification of the remaining species.
References
BASHFORD, R. 1990. Tasmanian forest insects and their host plants. Government Printer,
Tasmania. 32pp.
BASHFORD, R. 1991. Wood-boring Coleoptera and associated insects reared from Acacia
dealbata Link in Tasmania. Australian Entomological Magazine 18(3): 103-109.
BASHFORD, R. 1993. A colony of the hairstreak butterfly, Pseudalmenus chlorinda s.sp. near
zephyrus, protected within a forest reserve. The Tasmanian Naturalist 112: 9-11.
COSTERMANS, L. 1991. Native trees and shrubs of south-eastern Australia. Weldon
Publishing.
COUCHMAN, L.R. and COUCHMAN, R. 1977. The butterflies of Tasmania. Tasmanian
Year Book 11: 66-96.
ELLIOTT, H.J. 1978. Studies on the fireblight beetle, Pyrgoides orphana (Erichson)
(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and its effect on the growth of silver wattle in Tasmania.
Australian Forestry 41(3): 160-166.
ELLIOTT, H.J. and DE LITTLE, D.W. 1984. Insect pests of trees and timber in Tasmania.
Forestry Commission, Tasmania; pp 40-47.
EVANS, J.W. 1943. Insect pests and their control. Department of Agriculture, Tasmania; pp
69 and 142.
HAWKESWOOD, T.J. 1994. Review of the biology and host plants of Australian
Chrysomelidae (Coleoptera) associated with Acacia (Mimosaceae). Pp 191-204 in P.H. Jolivet,
M.L. Cox and E. Petitpierre (eds) Novel aspects of the biology of Chrysomelidae. Kluwer
Academic Publishers.
HUNT, A.J., GULLAN, P.J. and REID, C.A.M. 1996. Chrysomelidae (Coleoptera) and other
phytophagous insects in a plantation of black wattle, Acacia mearnsii De Wild., in Southeastern
Australia. Australian Journal of Entomology 35: 85-92.
NEW, T.R. 1979. Phenology and relative abundance of Coleoptera on some Australian
acacias. Australian Journal of Zoology 27: 9-16.
NEW, T.R. 1982. Lepidoptera from Uromycladium galls on Acacia. Australian Journal of
Zoology 30: 357-364.
Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3) 115
NEW, T.R. 1983. Seed predation of some Australian acacias by weevils (Coleoptera:
Curculionidae). Australian Journal of Zoology 31: 345-352.
VAN DEN BERG, M.A. 1977. Natural enemies of certain acacias in Australia. Pp 75-82 in
Proceedings of the 2nd. National Weeds Conference of South Africa. Stellenbosch.
VAN DEN BERG, M.A. 1982a. Lepidoptera attacking Acacia dealbata Link., Acacia
decurrens Willd., Acacia longifolia (Andr.) Willd., Acacia mearnsii de Wild, and Acacia
melanoxylon R. Br. in Eastern Australia. Phytophylactica 14: 43-46.
VAN DEN BERG, M.A. 1982b. Hemiptera attacking Acacia dealbata Link., Acacia decurrens
Willd., Acacia mearnsii deWild and Acacia melanoxylon R. Br. in Australia. Phytophylactica
14: 47-50.
VAN DEN BERG, M.A. 1982c. Coleoptera attacking Acacia dealbata Link., Acacia decurrens
Willd., Acacia longifolia (Andre) Willd., Acacia mearnsii de Wild and Acacia melanoxylon R.
Br. in Australia. Phytophylactica 14: 51-55.
WEBB, G.A. 1994. The insect fauna inhabiting the wood of some Acacia spp. in south-eastern
Australia. Victorian Entomologist 24(4): 80-92.
116 Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3)
CD-ROM REVIEW
Victorian Butterfly Database. Viridans Databases (614 Hawthorn Road,
Brighton East, Victoria 3187). 1997. Price $120.
This innovative CD-Rom contains information on the 129 butterfly species recorded
from Victoria and is a remarkable record of the achievements of two dedicated
butterfly enthusiasts, David Crosby and Nigel Quick, over a lifetime of interest in
these insects. Some 80% of records result directly from their work, with others
incorporated from the Museum of Victoria and other sources. The production has
been overseen by Dr Paul Gullan and follows a Victorian Flora database in similar
format.
The disc is much more than a superbly illustrated directory to the State’s butterflies
and will have wide interest as a fundamental information source throughout Australia.
Introductory text outlines the biology of butterflies and provides clear explanation of
the disc’s capacity and uses. The 600 or so photographs (set specimens of all species,
many of living butterflies [65 species] and early stages) are augmented by brief
description of life cycles, food plants and ecology of each species, plus extensive
distributional data which can be plotted and assessed on a range of scales and
templates. The database facilitates search for any species, with illustrated lists of
scientific or common names as a basis for this; each is also given a conservation
status ranking (rare, endangered, vulnerable) where appropriate, plus indication of
resident, alien, migrant or vagrant status in Victoria. Its distribution can be shown
(using a 10 x 10 minute grid unit) on a map of Victoria and the records can be
segregated into 9 temporal categories, to indicate the historical record of
documentation and changing distributions during this century. Distribution can also
be shown in relation to roads and towns, topography or landsat imagery to indicate
land use and major habitat patterns; any main area can be enlarged four-fold by
‘zooming’ for greater resolution. An area can also be searched for all butterfly
records, to produce local listings and any part of the imagery or text can be printed
out. It will thus have considerable value to land managers seeking information on
particular areas and to students and naturalists of many persuasions. The producers
note that this is a ‘first edition’ subject to augmentation and revision in the future.
I found no major operating problems in using the database and much to commend in
its effective operation and retrieval. One can always quibble: perhaps additional
photographs of some variable taxa would be useful; perhaps more information as
captions on pictures of early stages would help some users seeking to identify these;
perhaps some conservation status assessments could be re-interpreted and so on.
Such comments are however trivial in relation to the excellence of the overall
achievement that this CD-Rom represents. It will have lasting value as an important
step in disseminating information on Victoria’s fauna - and, tacitly, issues the
challenge for emulation for butterflies and other ‘flagship’ insect groups elsewhere in
Australia.
T.R. NEW
School of Zoology,
La Trobe University,
Bundoora, Victoria 3083
Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3): 117-118 117
ALEXFLOYDIA REPENS SIMON: A FOOD PLANT FOR
OCYBADISTES KNIGHTORUM LAMBKIN & DONALDSON
(LEPIDOPTERA: HESPERIIDAE)
AND THEIR CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANCE
D.P.A. SANDS
CSIRO, Division of Entomology, Private Bag No. 3, Indooroopilly, Qld 4068
Abstract
A food plant for the larvae of Ocybadistes knightorum is identified as the rare and locally
restricted grass, Alexfloydia repens Simon (Poaceae). Adult females of O. knightorum were
observed ovipositing on this grass at three localities previously recorded for this grass east of
Bonville and near Boambee, New South Wales. The conservation significance of O.
knightorum and its food plant, A. repens, is discussed.
Introduction
The recent discovery of Ocybadistes knightorum Lambkin & Donaldson near
Boambee, northeastern New South Wales, has stimulated interest among
butterfly conservationists due to its remarkably restricted distribution. O.
knightorum has previously been recorded only from the type locality,
Boambee Creek (Lambkin and Donaldson 1994, Atkins 1996), where the
immature stages were found and adults were observed to oviposit on a grass,
thought to be Hemarthria uncinata R. Br. (Atkins 1996). However, the
distribution of O. knightorum is not easily explained by the distribution of
this plant since H. uncinata is known to be widely distributed from southern
and Western Australia (Baines 1981) to eastern Queensland, including the
Darling Downs (Stanley and Ross 1989). Atkins (1996) suggested that H.
uncinata was either the sole or principal food plant for this butterfly but
indicated that its identity required confirmation.
A larval food plant for O. knightorum
In March and April 1996 at Boambee Creek, central New South Wales,
several female O. knightorum were observed ovipositing on Alexfloydia
repens Simon (Poaceae). In February 1997, at two other localities (Pine
Creek, east of Bonville; Cordwells Creek, Boambee) where the grass was
recorded by Simon (1992), several female O. knightorum were observed also
Ovipositing on A. repens. Larvae were found in shelters (as described by
Atkins 1996) which were similar in appearance to the glumes of A. repens
(c.f. Simon 1992). Scars from feeding by larvae on the leaves sometimes
resulted in distorted spikelets and these may have been the same as those
attributed to insect damage by Simon (1992).
At all localities visited between eastern Bonville and Boambee where A.
repens was present, O. knightorum was also present. The butterfly was
absent from similar environments where this grass was absent. A. repens
occurs as almost monospecific stands on peat-like soils, though the peat areas
are often edged nearby with alluvial or saline sandy loams supporting other
grasses (e.g Ottochloa gracillima C.E. Hubbard).
118 Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3)
Ecology and conservation of O. knightorum and its food plant
It is likely that the food plant of O. knightorum was misidentified in Atkins
(1996) as H. uncinata, since the present surveys indicate that O. knightorum
is almost certainly monophagous and dependent on the geographically
restricted grass, A. repens, as a food plant for its larvae. Simon (1992)
referred to the important conservation status of this grass and its extremely
restricted distribution. To this must now be added concern for the
conservation of the butterfly which appears confined to the grass and
therefore at risk. Moreover, the grass may prove to be dependent on small
patches of coastal peat, similar to those reported by Hegerl (1996) in the
region between Fraser Island and Cooloola National Park in southeastern
Queensland. The association of these peat fens with mangroves and tidal
wetlands was recognised by Hegerl (1996) as having unique conservation
value for flora and fauna and may now include the distinctive butterfly, O.
knightorum in even more restricted areas. Indeed, if O. knightorum and the
grass, A. repens, prove to be inter-dependent on peat substrates of similar age
to those described by Hegerl (1996), the age of the fens may be well in
excess of his estimate of 6,000 years.
O. knightorum and A. repens have been recorded so far only from four
localities between Pine Creek, East Bonville and Boambee Creek, Boambee,
central NSW (Simon 1992), a distance of ca 8 km, where at least two of the
known localities for O. knightorum are under threat from commercial
development, physical disturbance or weed invasion. One site supporting the
butterfly occupies an area of only about 600 m’. It is hoped that further
surveys for A. repens will reveal additional localities for O. knightorum and
that the unique ecosystems supporting these biota will be permanently
preserved by appropriate state conservation authorities.
Acknowledgments
I am most grateful to Mr Paul Grimshaw and Dr Bryan Simon, Queensland
Herbarium, for identifying A. repens. My thanks to other staff at the Qld
Herbarium, to Mr Alex Floyd, Coffs Harbour, Dr Grant Miller, Lismore and
Mr Andrew Atkins, University of Newcastle, for helpful discussions.
References
ATKINS, A. 1996. The life history of Ocybadistes knightorum Lambkin & Donaldson
(Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae). Australian Entomologist 23: 29-31.
BAINES, J.A. 1981. Australian plant genera. An etymological dictionary of Australian plant
genera. Part 1. The Society for Growing Australian Plants, p. 183.
HEGERL, E. 1996, Fraser Island fens - a Ramsar related discovery. Bulletin of the Australian
Marine Conservation Society 19: 7.
LAMBKIN, T.A. and DONALDSON, J.F. 1994. A new species of Ocybadistes Heron
(Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) from Australia. Australian Entomologist 21: 15-20.
SIMON, B.K. 1992. Studies on Australian grasses 6. Alexfloydia, Cliffordiochloa, Dall-
watsonia, three new panicoid grass genera from eastern Australia. Austrobaileya 3: 669-681.
STANLEY, T.D. and ROSS, E.M. 1989. Flora of south-eastern Queensland. Volume 3
Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane. 532 pp.
Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3): 119-126 119
NEW RECORDS OF THE GENUS STENUS LATREILLE
(COLEOPTERA: STAPHYLINIDAE) IN AUSTRALIA
C.A.M. REID
Co-operative Research Centre for Tropical Rainforest Ecology and Management,
James Cook University, PO Box 6811, Cairns, Qld 4870
Abstract
Recent Australian records of the genus Stenus Latreille are listed and biological notes given.
Three species are newly recorded from the Australian Capital Territory, two from Western
Australia and one from the Northern Territory.
Introduction
The almost cosmopolitan genus Stenus Latreille is one of the largest in the
animal kingdom, with about 2000 species. The adults are diurnal predators
on soil and leaf surfaces, usually near water, and the larvae are active
predators on soil surfaces. The adults, with large bulging eyes, a protrusible
labium (Weinreich 1968; Fig. 1) and the peculiar stiff-legged gait of
creatures that hunt by stealth, are easily distinguished in the field and make a
popular subject for collectors in the northern hemisphere. In the north, small
regions such as the British Isles have large, diverse faunas (74 species) and
the small scale distribution patterns of species may be correlated with
changes in soil type and management systems of grasslands and riverbanks
(Allen 1981; Reid 1985, unpubl.).
The Australian fauna has been revised relatively recently (Puthz 1970, 1972,
1975, 1977) and comprises only 29 species. A considerable amount of new
material has accumulated in the Australian National Insect Collection,
Canberra (ANIC) since Puthz last worked on the Australian fauna. This
paper is a record of this new material, and small collections in the
Queensland Museum (QM), University of Queensland Insect Collection
(UQIC), Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Mareeba (QDPIM)
and Zoology Department, James Cook University, Townsville (JCU).
The species are listed in alphabetical order, ignoring subgenera, with notice
of new material and notes on distribution and habitat where appropriate. An
asterisk (*) indicates new state records. All material is in the ANIC unless
otherwise indicated.
Records
Stenus atrovirens Fauvel
*NORTHERN TERRITORY: 3/ Jim Jim Creek, 12°57'S 132°33'E, 19 km WSW Mount Cahill,
24.x.1972 E.B. Britton. QUEENSLAND: 2/ Barron River, Walkamin, 4.vi.1964, RE (QDPIM).
This appears to be a rare species, previously known only from tropical
Queensland (Puthz 1970, 1972: 8 specimens).
120 Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3)
Stenus australicus Blackburn
No additional material.
This species is still known only from the female holotype, collected at
Wandiligong (Puthz 1970), a lowland valley in the Victorian Alps.
Stenus bifenestratus Benick
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 2/ Forest Dept, 18-22.x.1971, J.A. Springett; 3/ Marri Road, Forest
Dept, 8-21.vii.1970, J.A. Springett; 1/ 7 km SE Dwellingup, 32°46'S 116°04'E, 2.x.1981, LD.
Naumann, J.C. Cardale.
This is a frequently recorded species in the more humid forests of south-
western Western Australia (Puthz 1970).
Stenus bisignatus Puthz
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 1/ Pemberton, 3.xii.1936, K.R. Norris.
Previously known from the female holotype, which was also collected at
Pemberton (Puthz 1977).
Stenus caviceps Fauvel
No additional material.
This is a widespread species on Cape York Peninsula, north of Cairns (Puthz
1970, 1972).
Stenus coeruleus Waterhouse
NEW SOUTH WALES: 1/ Allyn River Road, 7.6 km from Singleton, 28.vi.1976, W. Allen; 5/
Barrengarry Mountain, 34°40'S 150°30'E, on bushes over ditch, 12.viii.1989, C. Reid; 3/
Barrington House, 92 km NW Singleton, 32°09'S 151?32'E, 28.vi.1976, W. Allen; 4/
Barrington Tops NP, Gloucester River, 32°04'S 151°41'E, 12-14.xi.1981, A. Calder; 1/ 16.5 km
S Bermagui, Brochelos Creek, 22.vii.1973, Z. Liepa; 1/ 38.5 km WSW Corumba, 30°14'S
152°43'E, 26.vi.1976, W. Allen; 5/ 3 km N Lansdowne, via Taree, wet Scler[ophyll] forest,
20.ix.1983, 24.xi.1984, 21.vi.1985, G. & B. Williams; 3/ Lismore, iii.1922; 1/ Richmond River,
1909-174; 1/ Wallaga Lake, Bermagui, 21.vii.1973, Z. Liepa. QUEENSLAND: 3/ Baldwin
Swamp Fauna reserve, 10.x.1972, H. Frauca; 2/ Lake Eacham, 19.viii.1934; 1/ [Lamington]
National Park, MacPherson Range, i.1928, H.J. Carter; 1/ c12 km E Ravenshoe, 27.viii.1968,
R.J. Elder; 3/ Tinaroo, on wild tobacco, 21.xii.1968, P.H. Twine (QDPIM); 1/ Woombye, nr
Nambour, 16.x.1965, D.H. Colless.
This is a common species in rainforest from Clyde River, New South Wales,
northwards. It is ar active climber on trees and shrubs.
Stenus convexiusculus Benick
No additional material.
This species is known only from high rainfall areas of northern New South
Wales and southern Queensland (Puthz 1970, 1972: 10 specimens).
Stenus cupreipennis Macleay
No additional material.
Apparently a common riparian species, which is recorded from Adelaide and
Melbourne to Cape York (Puthz 1970, 1972).
Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3) 121
Stenus cursorius cursorius Benick
NORTHERN TERRITORY: 3/ Adelaide River, Daly River Rd Xing, 13°29'S 131°06'E,
9.xi.1972, E.B. Britton; 1/ Burrell's Creek, Stuart Highway, 24.xi.1972, D.H. Colless; 3/
Cooper Creek, 19 km SE Mount Borradaile, 12°06'S 133°04'E, stagnant pool in sandy creek
bed, 3.xi.1972, E.B. Britton; 11/ Fergusson River, 19°14'S 131°50'E, 7.viii.1968, 13.viii.1968,
M. Mendum; 2/ Wilderness River Lagoon, 12°58'S 132°00'E, 24.x.1972, E.B. Britton.
QUEENSLAND: 5/ Bakers Blue Mtn, 17 km W Mt Molloy, rainforest, 1100m, 12.ix.1981, G.
Monteith & D. Cook (QM); 1/ Bellenden Ker Range, 17°16'S 145°51'E, summit TV stn,
rainforest litter, 1500m, 25-31.x.1981, Earthwatch & QM (QM); 2/ Bellenden Ker, 17°16'S
145°51'E, centre peak summit, moss on trees, 10-11.iv.1979, G.B. Monteith (QM); 1/ Cairns,
freshwater flood debris, 18.iii.1965, J.G. Brooks; 8/ Davies Creek, x.1950, GB; 2/ Davies
Creek, 22 km WSW Mareeba, malaise trap, 2.xii-7.1.1985, Storey, Titmarsh (QDPIM); 1/
Eungella, near school, 9.v.1980, I.D. Naumann, J.C. Cardale; 1/ Lambs Head, 10 km W
Edmonton, 1200m, 10.xii.1989, Monteith, Thompson, Janetzki (QM); 10/ Millstream Falls,
Ravenshoe, sand by river, ix.1991, C. Reid; 1/ 12 km WNW Mossman, head of Francis Creek,
1200m, 30.xii.1989, ANZSES (QM); 1/ Mount Halifax, 19°07'S 145°23'E, summit heath,
21.iii-10.v.1991, D. Cook (QM); 1/ Mount Lewis, 1060m, 20.vi.1971, Taylor, Feehan; 1/
Mount Lewis barracks, via Julatten, rainforest litter, 1000m, 10.ix.1981, G. Monteith & D.
Cook (QM); 1/ Mount Misery, 15°52'S 145?14'E, summit, flight intercept, 850m, 17.i.1991,
QM & ANZSES (QM); 1/ Mount Williams, 16°55'S 145?40'E, 1000m, 2.xii.1993, Monteith &
Janetzki (QM); 1/ Murray Falls, N of Cardwell, on rocks by river, viii.1996, C. Reid; 3/ Silver
Valley, ix.1950, GB; 1/ Taringa, 7.i.1931; 6/ Townsville, F.H. Taylor; 2/ Windsor Tableland,
flt intercept, 27.xii-10.1.1989, E. Schmidt & ANZSES (QM). *WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 2/
Mining Camp, Mitchell Plateau, 14°49'S 125°50'E, 9-19.v.1983, I.D. Naumann, J.C. Cardale.
This is a widespread and abundant riparian and rainforest species in the
northern tropics as far south as Rockhampton (Puthz 1970), newly recorded
here from Western Australia.
Stenus gayndahensis Macleay
*AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: 2/ Canberra, marshy pond by ANU campus &
Clunies Ross St, 19.ix.1985, C. Reid. NEW SOUTH WALES: 1/ 18 km SW Braidwood,
marshy stream, 30.i.1986, C. Reid; 2/ Darling River, v.1925, H.J. C[arter] (1 Puthz coll.); 1/
Wambelong Creek, Warrumbungle NP, 31°19S 148°59'E, 8.1.1977, S. Allen. QUEENSLAND:
3/ Archer Creek, x.1953, GB; 2/ Broken River, 50 mi W Mackay, 30.xi.1968, E. B. Britton (1
Puthz coll.); 4/ Dargonelly Rockhole, 25°02'S 147°54'E, 27.11.1996, G. Monteith & C. Burwell
(QM); 1/ Blackdown Tableland via Dingo, 850-950m, 11-12.iv.1996, G. Monteith (QM).
This plant climbing species in marshy habitat (with many emergent plants), is
widely distributed from southern New South Wales to north Queensland.
Stenus guttulifer Waterhouse
No additional material.
This species is widespread in the more humid regions of southwestern
Western Australia (Puthz 1970, 1972). Nineteenth century records from
Queensland and New South Wales are probably erroneous.
Stenus hornensis Puthz
No additional material.
Still known only from the female holotype, Horn Island, Northern Territory
(Puthz 1970).
122 Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3)
Stenus immaculatus Puthz
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 3/ Pemberton, Brockman NP, karri forest, 26.x.1969, R.W. Taylor;
3/ Pemberton, 23.ix.1971, J.A. Springett; 1/ 12 mi N Walpole, c250m, marri forest, 24.x.1969,
R.W. Taylor.
This species is confined to the small high rainfall area of southwestern
Western Australia. It was previously known only from the female holotype,
collected in Walpole-Nornalup NP.
Stenus improbus Puthz
QUEENSLAND: 1/ Bellenden Ker Range, cableway base stn, pyrethrum knockdown, 100m,
17.x-9.xi.1981, Earthwatch & QM (QM); 1/ Cairns, freshwater flood debris, 18.iii.1965, J.G.
Brooks.
This rare species was previously known from the holotype (Cairns) and four
northern Queensland specimens in the Blackburn collection (Puthz 1970,
1972). It is possibly confined to lowland rainforest.
Stenus janthinipennis Lea
No additional material.
A riparian species, which is common in the Kimberleys and near Darwin
(Puthz 1970, 1972).
Stenus leai Bernhauer & Schubert
No additional material.
Apparently a rare species, which is known from the Kimberleys and northern
Queensland (Puthz 1970).
Stenus macellus Fauvel
No additional material.
The species is still known only from 6 nineteenth century specimens
collected at Albany, in SW Australia (Puthz 1970).
Stenus maculatus Macleay
NEW SOUTH WALES: 2/ Broulee, 35°51'S 150°11'E, 26.v.1982, T. Watson, L. Miller; 1/
Mebbin SF, 18 km W Uki, 23-24.xi.1982, J. Doyen; 1/ Victoria Park via Alstonville, 1.xi.1970,
G.B. Monteith (UQIC). QUEENSLAND: 1/ Brookfield, 10.ix.1933, J.G. Brooks; 1/ Conway
State Forest, Brandy Creek Rd, 23.iv.1979, G.B. Monteith (QM); 1/ Granite Creek, Bulburin
State Forest via Many Peaks, 1.iv.1972, G.B. Monteith (UQIC); 2/ Greater Brisbane, Wassel; 1/
Joalah NP, Tambourine Mountain, 27°56'S 153°12'E, on flowers & foliage, 18-21.x.1978,
Lawrence & Weir; 1/ Mount Nebo, 10.xii.1933, J.G. Brooks; 1/ c3 km W Paluma, c888m, ex
leaf litter, 11.1.1975, J.G. Brooks; 1/ Mount Irvine; 1/ Redland Bay, ix.1950, GB; 1/ Seaview
Range, Mt Fox Rd, rainforest, 600m, 2.1.1987, S. Hamlet (QM).
The localities listed above and those given by Puthz (1970, 1972) suggest
that this is a subtropical and tropical rainforest species, not a species "of open
forest" (Puthz 1970: 75), occurring from Clyde River, New South Wales,
northwards. It is not present in the cooler rainforest preferred by the similar
S. pustulifer Fauvel. The species climbs low vegetation.
Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3) 123
Stenus neboissi Puthz
No additional material.
This species is known only from the 4 type specimens, collected in Cairns
and Halifax, North Queensland (Puthz 1970).
Stenus olivaceus Macleay
No additional material.
A widely distributed riparian species, recorded from southern New South
Wales to Cairns (Puthz 1970, 1972).
Stenus piliferus obesulus Fauvel
NEW SOUTH WALES: 1/ 1 km S Harrington, swept Casuarina & Acacia complex, 21.ix.1983,
G. Williams. NORTHERN TERRITORY: 1/ 3 km SSW Katherine, 14°30'S 132°15'E,
12.xi.1979, T. Weir; 19/ Muirella Park, 12.x.1972, E.F. Riek. QUEENSLAND: 4/ Arriga,
Mareeba, ex rice paddy, 16.iv.1985, K.H. Halfpapp (QDPIM); 13/ Didgeridoo Waterhole,
Baratta Creek, viii.1991, Burdekin River Project (JCU); 4/ Innisfail, 5.ix.1965, R. Angus (1
Puthz coll.); 1/ 2 mi SW Mount Inkerman, 19°45'S 147°30'E, mud, lily ponds, 11.xii.1968,
Britton & Misko. VICTORIA: 1/ East Pombomheit, 24 km ESE Camperdown, temporary
pond, viii.1978-ii.1979, P.S. Lake. *WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 1/ 14 km SE Kalumburu
Mission, CALM site 4/3, 12°45'S 126°40'E, 3-6.vi.1988, T.A. Weir.
A common riparian vegetation climber, from southern South Australia to the
eastern and northern seaboards of Australia (Puthz 1970, 1972), not
previously recorded from Western Australia.
Stenus platythrix Puthz
QUEENSLAND: 1/ 2 km S Beatrice River, 17°34'S 145°41'E, rainforest pitfalls, 1.xii-
25.11.1994, J. Hasenpusch (QM); 1/ 4 km up Black Mountain Road, Kuranda, malaise trap,
25.viii.-14.ix.1982, G. Simpson; 1/ Mount Lewis via Julatten, 3500’, 4.v.1970, G.B. Monteith
(UQIC); 2/ same locality, rainforest, 12.x.1980 (QM).
This is a fairly common species, confined to the region around Cairns and the
Atherton Tableland, North Queensland (Puthz 1970, 1972).
Stenus praedictus Puthz
QUEENSLAND: 1/ Bellenden Ker Range, Cable Tower 3, beating rainforest, 1054m, 17.x-
5.xi.1981, Earthwatch & QM; 1/ Crater, vii.1969, GB; 1/ Crater National Park, Atherton
Tableland, 950m, pyrethrum, 28.xii.1990, G.B. Monteith (QM); 1/ Kirrima Range via
Kennedy, rainforest, 500m, 2.x.1980, G.B. Monteith (QM); 2/ Malanda Falls, Malanda,
rainforest, 750m, 8-12.x.1980, G.B. Monteith (QM); 2/ Mount Lewis, ix.1969, GB; 1/
Mount Lewis via Julatten, 3500', 4.v.1970, G.B. Monteith (UQIC).
The above records indicate that this species is widely distributed, in high
rainfall and relatively high altitude areas of North Queensland, from Kirrima
Range to Mount Lewis (Puthz 1975, 1977).
Stenus pseudocoeruleus Puthz (Fig.1)
QUEENSLAND: 2/ Cairns, 18.xi.1934, J.G. Brooks; 1/ Mount Webb NP, 15°04'S 145°07'E,
28-30.ix.1980, T. Weir; 13/ Russel River, Bellenden Ker landing, 5m, beating rainforest, 24.x-
9.xi.1981, Earthwatch & QM; 2/ Bellenden Ker Range, cableway base stn, beating rainforest,
100m, 17.x-9.xi.1981, Earthwatch & QM (QM); 1/ same locality, 8.iv.1987, E.C. Dahms & G.
Sarnes (QM); 1/ Smithfield, 16°49'S 145°41'E, beating rf trees, 22.v.1997, C. Reid (ANIC); 3/
124 Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3)
South Johnstone Research Station, on banana frond, 15.viii.1990, K.H. Halfpapp (QDPIM); 1/
South Johnston, off banana plant, 19.vi.1970, B. Franzmann (QDPIM); 1/ Tully, on leaf Musa
cavendishii, 19.viii.1970, B. Franzmann (QDPIM); 1/ Yarrabah, 17.v.1976, E.B. Britton.
This active plant climber is a common species of high rainfall areas in North
Queensland, with an isolated record from northern New South Wales (Puthz
1970: Eungai).
Fig. 1. Stenus pseudocoeruleus Puthz, male, with labium extended. Scale bar = 1
mm.
Stenus puncticollis Fauvel
*AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: 1/ Canberra, Sullivan's Creek, mud & reeds,
18.11.1985, C. Reid; 1/ Uriarra Crossing, 30.xii.1985, K.R. Pullen. VICTORIA: 3/ Churchill
NP, under bark, 12.vi.1973, P.J. Parsons.
A common riparian species, which occurs from Victoria to Brisbane, with
old material from Cairns (Puthz 1970). It is evidently capable of
overwintering under bark.
Stenus pustulifer Fauvel
*AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: 2/ Brindabella Range, Blundells Creek-Lees Creek
area, 35°22'S 148?50'E, 1979-1981, C.R. Dickman; 1/ Tidbinbilla Reserve, 21.iii.1971, K.R.
Pullen; 1/ Tidbinbilla NR, 2 km S Tidbinbilla Mountain, leaf litter, rainforest gully, 24.xi.1990,
C. Reid. NEW SOUTH WALES: 1/ 22 km N Armidale, 30°31'S 151?32'E, 4.x.1971, S. Misko;
3/ Barrengarry Mountain, 34°41'S 150°31'E, 24.vi.1971, S. Misko; 1/ Barrington House via
Dungog, 14.viii.1970, G.B. Monteith (UQIC); 1/ Beaumont, W side of valley, 20.ii.1974, S.
Misko; 1/ Brown Mountain, rainforest at summit lookout, 5.xi.1987, C. Reid; 1/ Clyde
Mountain, 750m, 26.x.1982, J. Doyen, J. F. Lawrence; 1/ Gloucester River, Barrington Tops
NP, 32°04'S 151°41'E, 12-14.xi.1981, T. Weir; 3/ Macquarie Pass, 7 km ENE Robertson,
34°34'S 150?40'E, 8.1.1984, I.D. Naumann; 1/ Monga SF, 35°35'S 149°55'E, 26.xi.1979,
Lawrence & Weir; 1/ Mount Flora, nr Mittagong, 34?22'S 150?26'E, 15.iv.1976, R.W. Taylor;
1/ Mount Keira, 4.xi.1956, E.F. Riek; 2/ 2 km W Mount Keira, rainforest shrub, 30.iii.1990, C.
Reid; 1/ New England NP, Point Lookout, 5,200', 10.xi.1968, C.W. Frazier; 1/ Mount Tomah,
Blue Mountains, 4.xii.1971, G.B. Monteith (UQIC); 1/ Upper Allyn River, 14.11.1968, D.H.
Colless; 1/ Wadbilliga NP, 22 km NE Nimmitabel, grass under Leptospermum, vi.1988, C.
Reid. QUEENSLAND: 1/ Brisbane, 20.v.1964, H.A. Rose (UQIC); 1/ Mount Bithongabel,
Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3) 125
Lamington NP, 4.xi.1989. G. Monteith (QM); 1/ Spicer's Peak summit, 28°06'S 152°24'E,
1200m, 30-31.xii.1993, G.B. Monteith (QM); 1/ nr The Crater, 18 km N Ravenshoe, 17°27'S
145°29'E, 28-29.xi.1981, J. Balderson.
This is a common species of cool temperate to subtropical rainforest and wet
sclerophyll forest, from Victoria to south Queensland, with isolated
occurences further north at Eungella and Ravenshoe. The species generally
occurs in cooler forest at higher altitude than the morphologically similar
S. maculatus Macleay. It climbs low vegetation and overwinters in grass-
tufts and moss.
The female specimen from Mount Bithongabel (Qld) has proportionally
shorter elytra, narrowed at base, covering short wings (1.5 times elytral
length), and has first four tergites more sparsely punctured (almost
impunctate), compared with the other material. It may represent a new
species or a brachypterous morph of S. pustulifer.
Stenus retitogatus Puthz
NORTHERN TERRITORY: 2/ Delamere, 20-25.v.1968, M. Mendum. QUEENSLAND: 2/
McLeod River, 6.viii.1969, J.G. Brooks.
This is a rarely collected riparian species of the drier parts of tropical
Queensland and the Northern Territory, previously known from the 3 type
specimens (Puthz 1970).
Stenus villosiventris Lea
NEW SOUTH WALES: 1/ Pearl Beach, muddy creek in rainforest, xi.1984, C. Reid.
This is a fairly common species in Victoria and the Sydney region (Puthz
1970, 1972), which has also been recorded from Cairns and Western
Australia (Puthz 1970), both probably erroneous localities.
Discussion
In Britain I was a keen collector of this genus and had collected more than 60
species, so when I came to Australia in 1984 I was sure that I would find
many new species. My research here on Chrysomelidae has not allowed a
serious investigation of suitable habitats for Stenus, but I have looked for
Stenus species whenever possible. In 12 years only 6 species have been
collected, none new to science. Areas of bare riparian mud which would
support many species in the northern hemisphere, have been examined in
many inland regions of Australia and in the Perth area, without success.
Grasslands in the Canberra area have failed to produce any species and I
have found nothing in the alpine regions of southern Australia, except
S. pustulifer which is not recorded above 1200m. Tasmania has also been
searched unsuccessfully for Stenus species and, like New Zealand, this island
remains Stenus-less. In contrast, in nearby Java, Stenus species are diverse
and abundant in submontane forests (pers. obs.).
In Australia, Stenus species are relatively rare and ecologically insignificant.
The highest diversity of species is in the wet tropics of north Queensland. At
least 16 of the 29 Australian species occur there, a few of which are common
126 Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3)
diurnal predators on the leaves of rainforest bushes, with others common on
bare ground by water.
Acknowledgments
I am grateful to Greg Daniels (UQIC), Geoff Monteith (QM), Ross Storey
(QDPIM) and John Lawrence (ANIC) for the opportunity to examine the
material in their care. Volker Puthz (Schlitz, Germany) kindly checked some
of my identifications.
References
ALLEN, A.A. 1981. The incidence of certain Stenus spp. (Col., Staphylinidae): a reply to Mr
Reid. Entomologist's Monthly Magazine 117: 116.
PUTHZ, V. 1970. Revision of the Australian species of the genus Stenus Latreille (Coleoptera:
Staphylinidae). Memoirs of the National Museum of Victoria 31: 55-80.
PUTHZ, V. 1972. Corrections and additions to revision of Australian species of the genus
Stenus Latreille (Coleoptera; Staphylinidae). Memoirs of the National Museum of Victoria 33:
109-110.
PUTHZ, V. 1975. An additional new Stenus from Australia (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae).
Fieldiana (Zoology) 65(7): 85-88.
PUTHZ, V. 1977. Zwei neue Australische Stenus (Parastenus) arten (Coleoptera,
Staphylinidae). Nouvelle Revue d'Entomologie 7(1): 33-37.
REID, C. 1985. Notes on the genus Stenus Latreille (Col., Staphylinidae) in North-East
England. Entomologist's Monthly Magazine 121: 260.
WEINREICH, E. 1968. Über den Klebfangapparat der Imagines von Stenus Latr. (Coleopt.,
Staphylinidae) mit einem Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Jugendstadien dieser Gattung. Zeitschrift
für Morphologie der Tiere 62: 162-210.
Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3): 127-130 127
ARCUCORNUS, A NEW GENUS IN THE PSILOMORPHINI
(COLEOPTERA: CERAMBYCIDAE: CERAMBYCINAE)
WITH TWO NEW SPECIES
D.J. SCAMBLER
Department of Entomology, The Australian Museum, College Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
(Present address: 1 Bernard Street, Ballina, NSW 2478)
Abstract
Arcucornus gen. nov. is erected in the cerambycid tribe Psilomorphini for A. occidentalis sp.
nov. and A. orientalis sp. nov., described from unique specimens from southern Western
Australia and far northern Queensland respectively.
Introduction
Representatives of the endemic Australian tribe Psilomorphini are rare. In a
revision of the genus Psilomorpha Saunders, Scambler (1989) noted that of
the 7 species described, only 217 specimens had been located, these having
been collected over a period of 150 years. Similarly, with Ischnauchen
Scambler, a genus assigned to Psilomorphini by Scambler (1993), only 14
specimens were recorded. Another new genus, Arcucornus, with two new
species is now proposed. Each species is known by a unique specimen.
Arcucornus gen. nov.
(Figs 1-2)
Type species Arcucornus occidentalis sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Body length 25-30 mm, slender, elongate. Head large, nitid,
with obtusely triangular profile in sagittal plane and with short to medium
length, parallel-sided, moderately deflexed muzzle. Mandibles large, curved,
sharp, margins and apices black. Maxillary and labial palpi prominent, sub-
equal in length, setose. Eyes very prominent, large, slightly to fully
pyriform, coarsely granulate. Antennae slender, equal to body length,
inserted on well-separated, prominent tubercles, scape apically incrassate,
approximately equal in length to next three segments together, basal
segments with a line of, or fully clothed with long, very fine, erect setae.
Defensive secretory ‘pit and tongue’ mandibular organs absent. Prothorax
with two pairs of dorsal tubercles of varying prominence and laterally with
single, very prominent, markedly dorsally arcuate, aculeate tubercles.
Scutellum medium-large, amber, depressed, apically rounded. Elytra ca 0.7
body length, gradually tapered, yellow to buff, shoulders brown. Disc flat,
with three or four slightly raised costae and suture. Inter-costal areas mostly
amber, with one or two areas darker and with dense, recumbent, very short,
very fine vestiture. Legs long, slender.
Etymology. Derived from the Latin arcus: curve, bow; cornus; horn.
128 Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3)
Discussion. | Characters of Arcucornus which place it in the tribe
Psilomorphini are: yellowish-brown coloration, sometimes with distinctive
markings; elongate, gracile form; prominent muzzle and eyes; tapering,
costate elytra and long, slender legs. The absence of defensive, secretory ‘pit
and tongue’ organs on the head described by Moore and Brown (1971)
distinguishes Arcucornus and other psilomorphines from the genera
Stenoderus Dejean (= Stenocentrus McKeown) and Syllitus Pascoe in the
closely related tribe Stenoderini. The primary characters separating
Arcucornus from other genera of the Psilomorphini so far described, are its
size, which is twice the length of the largest specimen from any other genus,
the unique structure of its lateral prothoracic tubercles and its intercostal
coloration.
The type species was bred from Western Australian Karri, Eucalyptus
diversicolor F. Muell. by R.P. McMillan of Denmark, W.A., who states that
no other specimens were bred or collected (pers. comm.). Nothing is known
of the biology of the second species from far north Queensland.
Key to males of species of Arcucornus
Elytra each with 4 costae; head with long, erect, fine setae ventrally,
on frons, mandibles; antennal scape apically darker than base;
basal antennal segments setaceous radially; area between costae 3
and 4 darker than background, less so apically; elytral apices
raro rra occidentalis Sp. nov.
Elytra each with 3 costae; head glabrous except for recumbent setae
on labrum; antennal scape unicolorous; basal antennal segments
with a line of setae on one side; area between costae 2 and 3 dark
brown basally, becoming lighter apically, elytral apices pointed
orientalis sp. nov.
Arcucornus occidentalis sp. nov.
(Fig. 1)
Type. Holotype O, WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Denmark, as larva in Karri,
20.v.1973, pupa 6.vii.1973, adult 11.ix.1973, R.P. McMillan (in Western
Australian Museum Collection, 94/846).
Description. Male. Overall length 30 mm. Head ca 1.5 times as long as
prothorax, ventrally rugulose, tapering to prothorax immediately behind
eyes, with long, erect, fine setae ventrally, on lateral margin of frons, dorsal
base of mandibles and immediately posterior to eyes. Labrum with coarser,
recumbent setae. Eyes slightly pyriform, well separated from ventral
margins of antennal insertions, with fine, long, erect setae immediately
postero-laterally. Antennae amber, scape apically darker, longer than next
three segments together. Scape, pedicel and segment 3 somewhat sparsely
setaceous radially, segments 4-6 setaceous on one side, remainder pruinose.
Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3) 129
2
Figs 1-2. (1) Arcucornus occidentalis, holotype male (dark object on right elytron is
immovable foreign body); (2) Arcucornus orientalis, holotype male. Scale line
=5 mm.
Segments 3-6 progressively longer, 7-8 progressively shorter (remainder
missing). Prothorax amber, ventrally rugulose, anterior/posterior width ratio
ca 0.8, with sparse, fine, erect setae antero-laterally, antero-dorsal tubercles
prominent, postero-dorsal tubercles less so. Elytra with four costae, 1 and 2
clearly defined, integral with similarly formed carina at base of elytra. Costa
3 weaker, arising sub-humerally, costa 4 similar, arising posterior to 3 and
becoming more strongly defined apically. All costae parallel, all joining
preapically. Area between costae 2 and 4 darker than background, becoming
less so apically. Elytral apices faintly rounded, margined with very short
setae. Legs amber, forelegs with sparse, fine, erect setae, middle and rear
tarsi with similar, sparser setae. Fore and mid-coxae globose, contiguous,
rear coxae transverse, almost contiguous.
Female unknown.
Etymology. Derived from the Latin occidentis: west.
Arcucornus orientalis sp. nov.
(Fig. 2)
Type. Holotype O”, QUEENSLAND: Kuranda, N.Q., 6.1x.1975, A. & M.
Walford-Huggins (in Queensland Museum, QMT. 46010).
130 Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3)
Description. Male. Habitus similar to A. occidentalis. Overall length 25
mm. Head ca 1.2 times as long as prothorax, glabrous except for sparse,
recumbent setae on labrum. Muzzle rather short. Eyes pyriform. Antennae
unicolorous, scape slightly shorter than next three segments together, basal
segments with a line of fine, erect setae on one side. Segments 3-5
progressively longer, 6 and 7 shorter and equal, 8 shorter, 9-11 shorter than 8
and equal. Prothorax with single, fine, erect seta laterally on anterior margin,
dorsal tubercles slightly and equally prominent. Elytra with 3 costae, costa 3
very weakly defined, becoming somewhat more defined apically. Area
between costae 2 and 3 microtuberculate, dark brown basally, becoming
slightly lighter apically. Elytral apices pointed.
Female unknown.
Etymology. Derived from the Latin orientis: east.
Acknowledgments
I thank Mr G. Daniels for his critical appraisal of the original manuscript and
photographing the specimens, Dr M.J. Fletcher and Mr J.A. Macdonald for
their continued support, Dr T.F. Houston and Miss M.A. Schneider for loan
of specimens.
References
MOORE, B.P. and BROWN, W.V. 1971. Chemical defence in longhorn beetles of the genera
Stenocentrus and Syllitus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). Journal of the Australian
Entomological Society 10: 230-232.
SCAMBLER, D.J. 1989. A revision of genus Psilomorpha Saunders (Coleoptera:
Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae). Invertebrate Taxonomy 3: 163-173.
SCAMBLER, D.J. 1993. Ischnauchen, a new genus for Aphiorhynchus costatus McKeown
(Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 32: 193-195.
Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3): 131-136 131
NOTES ON THE BIOLOGY AND ANNUAL CYCLE OF THE WOOD
BORING PSOCOPTERAN PSILOPSOCUS MIMULUS SMITHERS
(PSOCOPTERA: PSILOPSOCIDAE)
C.N. SMITHERS
Australian Museum, 6 College Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
Abstract
Preliminary information is provided on some aspects of the biology and seasonal cycle of the
unusual wood boring psocopteran Psilopsocus mimulus Smithers on Pinus radiata in New
South Wales.
Introduction
Unusual morphological features of the nymphs of the uncommon
psocopteran Psilopsocus mimulus Smithers led to the suspicion that it might
live within the confines of a tunnel of some kind (Smithers 1963). Not until
1993 was it confirmed as a wood borer, after a substantial population was
found in Penrose State Forest, near Marulan, NSW (Smithers 1995b).
Information on the biology of Australian Psocoptera is very meagre. This
note summarises preliminary observations on some aspects of the biology
and seasonal cycle of Ps. mimulus.
Materials and methods
Observations were made at Penrose State Forest between December 1993
and May 1995, in a stand of mature Pinus radiata D. Don. and on specimens
reared in the laboratory. Prior to this the species had been collected only
occasionally in small numbers at various localities in eastern Australia
(Smithers 1995b). In the laboratory, field-collected insects were kept in petri
dishes lined with absorbent paper and provided with pine twigs of various
thicknesses, never thicker than a few mm in diameter and about 6 cm long,
into which they could bore. Water was provided on a wad of cotton wool
which was kept damp but not wet enough to allow water to seep onto the
paper.
Notes on the biology of Psilopsocus mimulus
Adult Ps. mimulus do not exhibit unusual morphological features but the
nymphs show remarkable adaptations to life in a tunnel. These include a
cylindrical body form, short legs, reduced sclerification and pigmentation of
the abdominal integument, except for the hind part of the abdomen which, in
contrast, is exceptionally heavily sclerotised and black, with a truncate
posterior end and specialised setae, of which the tips are divided into several
short, divergent branches (Smithers 1963, 1995a). The cylindrical form and
colour of the heavily sclerotised hind end of the abdomen is reminiscent of
wood boring beetles which block their tunnels by means of appropriately
shaped elytra. Ps. mimulus has been recorded only on Syncarpia glomulifera
(Smith) and Pinus radiata.
132 Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3)
Adults
Food and feeding. Adults are found on the bark of the trunk, branches and
twigs of the trees. They are too large to enter the tunnels in twigs in which
the nymphs live. Fungal hyphae (derived from lichens or fungi on the bark
‘surface?), fungal spores, green algae and fragments of plant detritus have
been found in the gut.
Initially water was provided as droplets in the petri dishes as well as on the
cotton wool pads. They drank from both sources. Rudolph (1982a, b)
described and discussed the mechanism of water vapour uptake through the
hypopharynx in psocopterans. In controlled experiments he recorded uptake
periods of about 5-40 minutes, with varying intervals between them
depending on species and conditions. During these periods the lingual
sclerites are conspicuously exposed beyond the buccal cavity. Females of
Ps. mimulus were observed extending and retracting the hypopharynx in the
manner described by Rudolph and it is assumed that this was in order to
absorb atmospheric moisture. The hypopharynx was exposed for periods
varying from 20-60 seconds, alternating with periods of 10-15 seconds of
withdrawal. The observations on Ps. mimulus were made under uncontrolled
conditions and it is mentioned here simply to record its occurrence.
When at rest adults often adopt a posture in which the head is rested against
the substratum and the abdomen raised at a wide angle to it, an unusual
stance for a psocopteran.
Length of adult life. Adults in the laboratory lived 6-67 days. The longest-
lived specimen was a male; the longest-lived female lived 51 days. Most
specimens lived fewer than 40 days.
Mating. Mating was not observed but that it can take place soon after
maturity is suggested by the fact that one female laid viable eggs only 4 days
after the final nymphal moult. Prenuptial behaviour was not observed but
probably does take place as this is known in many psocopterans, including
the Myopsocidae (Campbell 1928), which are closely related to the
Psilopsocidae (Mockford 1961).
Oviposition. Females can lay eggs as soon as 4 days after emergence and
continue to do so until they are at least 11 days‘old. It is very likely that
females produce eggs until much older as most of them lived much longer in
the laboratory. This conclusion is supported by the fact that females contain
only about 6 mature eggs at a time, with many more in earlier stages of
development within their ovaries. Eggs are laid singly and it can be assumed
that in the field the oviposition period is much longer than 11 days. When a
female is about to lay she drags the end of her abdomen over the surface of
the bark, sometimes probing into crevices. This may continue for a minute
or more. Eventually the posterior margins of the paraprocts and the epiproct
are pressed against the bark. After a brief pause an egg is quickly extruded
and adheres to the bark. The egg is wet and shiny when deposited but dries
Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3) 133
and becomes dull almost immediately. As the abdomen is withdrawn the egg
is covered with a wet encrustation of faecal material which also dries almost
immediately. As the end of the abdomen is raised the encrustation is
moulded into a characteristic shape. The encrustation surrounds the egg and
has a flat upper surface. This upper part is drawn out horizontally in one
direction into a flattened plate which extends a little beyond the egg and
slightly upwards as the female withdraws her abdomen. The edge of this flat
extension is irregular, projecting in one or two places along its edge. The
encrustation is the same colour as the bark with the result that the egg is
difficult to-see. Although several females were observed laying, none was
seen to deposit a second egg within about half an hour. This seems to be an
unusually long interval and it is possible that conditions in the petri dishes
were not conducive to normal oviposition procedures and that oviposition is
more frequent in the field.
Eggs
Hatching. The egg stage lasts 20-26 days. Eclosion took 24 mins from the
first signs of a break in the chorion to freedom from the pronymphal cuticle.
Nymphs
Appearance. The integument of the newly hatched nymph is translucent and
large bubbles can be seen moving in the gut. It takes several hours for the
nymphs to colour up to the point at which the end of the abdomen is
somewhat dark and sclerotised. First instar nymphs do not have the strongly
sclerotised, black cylindrical form of the posterior part of the abdomen
developed as extensively as in later instars. This and the form of later instars
have been discussed by Smithers (1995a).
Tunnel making. First instar nymphs may initially force their way into cracks
and crevices, leaving the somewhat sclerotised hind end of the abdomen
exposed but soon seek out the end of a broken twig and make their own
tunnels or enter and occupy an existing, vacated tunnel. They start to make a
tunnel soon after their integument has hardened and attained normal colour.
Older nymphs may change tunnels and nymphs of all stages will accept
tunnels not of their own making. An advanced nymph made a tunnel in a
twig of which the end was cracked, so some of the activity of the nymph was
observed through the slit. After chewing the wood at the end of the twig to
make a short entrance to the tunnel, the nymph chewed at the wall of the
tunnel to widen it. It then continued chewing at the central core to extend the
tunnel along the length of the twig. Chewing was almost continuous for
more than an hour. There were occasional short pauses during which the
only activity consisted of slight, brief contractions of the abdomen or voiding
of faecal pellets. The nymph turned from time to time on its long axis,
chewing different sides of the tunnel. This resulted in a smooth-sided tubular
tunnel being made, a little wider than the head capsule. Tunnelling
continued until the nymph was well into the tunnel before there was a longer
pause in activity.
134 Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3)
The wood removed from the wall of the tunnel is swallowed, passed through
the gut and ejected as faecal pellets (Smithers 1995b). These are pale when
they result from tunnel extensions, dark, almost black, when the insect is
feeding. Nymphs appear always to be alone in the tunnels. On one occasion
a second nymph was seen to enter an occupied tunnel. The original occupant
backed up along the tunnel, causing the new arrival to retreat out of the
tunnel, after which the original occupier remained with the end of its
abdomen blocking the tunnel for several minutes before disappearing down
the tunnel again.
Feeding and defecation. Nymphs spend most of their lives in their tunnels.
They feed on the wood of the central core of the twig. They were
occasionally seen on the surface of the twigs where, on one occasion, one
was seen to feed on the surface of the bark. Whether Ps. mimulus is capable
of digesting cellulose of the plant cells or subsists only on fungal growth in
the tunnel is not known. The gut contains spores, pieces of fungal hyphae
and remains of woody tissues. Nymphs were seen taking water from the
cotton wool wad but not taking up water vapour through the hypopharynx as
do the adults.
Judging by the cessation of defecation, it would appear that feeding ceases
some time before ecdysis, perhaps 48 h or more. Faecal pellets are not
produced during this period. Feeding starts soon after moulting. Protozoa
which might be involved in aiding digestion were not found in the gut of the
few specimens examined.
Remarkably large quantities of faecal material are voided by nymphs,
suggesting that they feed on something of limited nutritional value or a food
source in limited supply obtained from the wood, such as fungi developing
on wood in the tunnel. During periods of feeding and tunnel making, the
nymph backs along the tunnel to the entrance, exposes the end of the
abdomen and ejects a faecal pellet (Smithers 1995b). This is a surprisingly
frequent event. One recently moulted nymph produced its first faecal pellet
within 24 h of moulting. In the next 24 h it produced 19 pellets and 130
faecal pellets over the next 6 days. Seven of the pellets were pale. When
extending the tunnel the rate of pale faecal pellet production may be greater
than usual. In one case it was as high as 3 per hour and in another occurred
at intervals of 3-12 mins over a period of more than an hour, during which
time 9 pellets were produced.
Moulting. The nymph leaves the tunnel prior to ecdysis, which may take
place near the tunnel entrance or some distance away. It is not known how
far a nymph will move from its home tunnel in the field or whether it always
returns to its home tunnel. Ability to find its own tunnel again may not be
important. In the laboratory nymphs did move into tunnels made by others.
Full colour of the integument is regained about 2 h after ecdysis. Prior to the
final nymphal moult, feeding and faecal pellet production appears to cease
for several days. One nymph was seen to re-enter its own tunnel without
Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3) 135
difficulty soon after ecdysis, despite the increased size of its head capsule,
indicating that provision for the anticipated change in size must have been
made by increasing tunnel diameter before the moult took place.
Instars. As the nymphs live in tunnels and survival rate was low in the
laboratory, it was difficult to determine accurately the number of nymphal
instars by direct observation. Fluctuation in faecal pellet numbers and size in
petri dishes containing several nymphs suggest that they undergo the 6
instars usual for Psocoptera. Final instar nymphs first appeared in the field in
May and the major emergence of adults was in November. Faecal pellet
measurement and counts of pellet production by individuals would enable
accurate data on number and length of instars to be obtained. However,
improved rearing techniques are required to ensure greater survival rate of
nymphs before this can be done.
Annual cycle
Ps. mimulus has one generation a year. Fig. 1 shows the seasonal occurrence
of eggs, nymphs and adults. The figure gives the appearance of several
weeks delay between emergence of the first adults and commencement of
oviposition. This is probably not so. Eggs are very difficult to find in the
field as they are well camouflaged and laid singly. Although a few adults
(recorded in Fig. 1) may be present in the field from the middle of
September, the adult population is clearly at its peak in November and
December, suddenly declining in early January. It can be inferred that there
are certainly some eggs in the field by the end of September as females
emerging later in the laboratory were capable of laying eggs within a few
days. In Fig. 1, the first recorded eggs, laid during the week of 18
November, are those associated with a sudden major November emergence
of adults. As adults emerge over a fairly long period, are long-lived and
clearly lay over a long period, small nymphs occur when nymphs which have
hatched earlier in the season are already in a later instar, as is the situation in
January.
August | September | October |November| December | January | February March | April
mum aga
o0
E
PITT] cL
"isl hata inar EINE H
PERPER EHEHEHEH TUER
Fig. 1. Seasonal cycle of Psilopsocus mimulus on Pinus radiata. Laboratory and
field records from Penrose State Forest combined on a weekly basis from December
1993 to May 1995. O = eggs; O = nymphs; W = adults; A = peak period for adults;
V = Corticaria japonica beetles.
136 Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3)
Natural enemies and associates in the tunnels
One species of chalcidoid parasite, not yet identified, is the only natural
enemy so far definitely associated with Ps. mimulus. It was found attacking
nymphs in the tunnels and itself pupating there in a silken cocoon. Some
dead nymphs were found covered in a white fungus but it is not yet known if
this is a parasitic fungus or a saprophyte associated with dead nymphs.
A small beetle, Corticaria japonica Reitter (Lathridiidae), occurs in empty
tunnels of Ps. mimulus, sometimes several in one tunnel, from mid
November to January. It has not yet been seen in a tunnel with a nymph nor
has it been seen attempting to enter an occupied tunnel. C. japonica is
recorded feeding on fungal spores.
The unusual nymphal habitat of Ps. mimulus and its wood boring and feeding
habit suggest that detailed study and comparison with the biology of other
wood boring insects would be interesting.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank my wife for considerable assistance in the field and for
recording data when I was not able to do so, the Forestry Commission of
NSW for permission to work in State Forests, Dr John Lawrence for
identifying the beetle, Professor Irma Kalinovic for assistance in the field
during her visit to Australia and Dr Jack Simpson for providing information
on material in gut contents.
References
CAMPBELL, J.W. 1924. Notes on egg-laying and mating habits of Myopsocus novae-
zelandiae Kolbe. Bulletin of the Brooklyn Entomological Society 23: 124-128.
MOCKFORD, E.L. 1961. The rediscovery and probable phylogenetic position of Psilopsocus
Psocoptera. Psyche 68: 38-44.
RUDOLPH, D. 1982a. Occurrence, properties and biological implication of the active uptake
of water vapour fro the atmosphere in Psocoptera. Journal of Insect Physiology 282: 111-121.
RUDOLPH, D. 1982b. Site, process and mechanism of active uptake of water vapour from the
atmosphere in the Psocoptera. Journal of Insect Physiology 283: 205-212.
SMITHERS, C.N. 1963. Psilopsocus mimulus sp. n. (Psocoptera: Psilopsocidae) representing a
family new to Australia. Journal of the Entomological Society of Queensland 2: 56-59.
SMITHERS, C.N. 1995a. Final instar nymph of Psilopsocus nebulosus Mockford (Psocoptera:
Psilopsocidae) redescribed and compared with two wood-boring species of the genus. Beitrage
Entomolische 452: 375-381.
SMITHERS, C.N. 1995b. Psilopsocus mimulus Smithers (Psocoptera: Psilopsocidae) the first
known wood-boring psocopteran. Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 34: 117-
129.
Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3): 137-143 137
FIELD OBSERVATIONS ON THE SYMBIOTIC INTERACTIONS OF
OGYRIS GENOVEVA (HEWITSON) AND OGYRIS ZOSINE
(HEWITSON) (LEPIDOPTERA: LYCAENIDAE) WITH
CAMPONOTUS SPP. (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE)
Rod Eastwood
50 Broadwater Terrace, Redland Bay, Qld 4165
Abstract
Observations are presented on the behaviour of Ogyris genoveva and O. zosine and their
attendant Camponotus ants.
Introduction
The early stages of Ogyris genoveva (Hewitson) and O. zosine (Hewitson)
have been the subject of a number of biological papers since Miskin (1883)
(see Lyell 1905; Waterhouse 1941a, b, Edwards 1948, 1959, McCubbin
1971, Fisher 1978, Common and Waterhouse 1981, Moore 1990, Turner and
Hawkeswood 1992). O. genoveva occurs throughout most of south-eastern
Australia, extending west into South Australia and north into central and
northern Queensland, while O. zosine occurs over much of northern and
eastern Australia, including offshore Barrier Reef and Torres Strait Islands,
extending into central and Western Australia (Common and Waterhouse
1981). There are some sympatric populations in south-eastern Queensland
and northern New South Wales and both species of Ogyris Westwood are
almost exclusively attended by ants of the genus Camponotus Mayr.
Biological observations have been made by the author over several years and
an intensive study was undertaken prior to and during the filming of a
documentary on insects, a segment of which was filmed at Eatonsville, west
of Grafton, NSW, in November 1993.
Study areas
The principal study site was situated at Eatonsville, extending from
approximately 3 km east to 16 km west of the town, where 39 separate
colonies of O. genoveva were studied in four distinct groups. There were
four species of Camponotus in attendance, namely C. consobrinus (Erichson)
(28 colonies), C. nigriceps (Smith) (1 colony), C. eastwoodi McArthur (1
colony) and C. intrepidus (Kirby) (8 colonies), with one unattended. O.
genoveva and O. zosine early stages were also investigated at sites
throughout Queensland, New South Wales and the Northern Territory.
Observations on the “gallery”
Various authors describe O. genoveva and O. zosine larvae sheltering in the
“ants’ nest” (Common and Waterhouse 1981, D'Abrera 1971, Fisher 1995,
Kitching 1991, Nielsen and Common 1991) whilst McCubbin (1971) and
Fisher (1978) describe the situation as ant “galleries”. During the course of
this investigation, over 100 colonies of O. genoveva and 40 colonies of O.
zosine were examined. It was noticed that the Ogyris larvae were not
138 Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3)
sheltering in the ants’ "nest", ie. “a place used by insects....or the like for
depositing their eggs or young” (Macquarie English Dictionary). The ants’
nest was always located separately and sometimes quite a distance (5 m or
more) from the “gallery” prepared by ants for the Ogyris larvae. In situations
where the ants’ nest was located near the base of the tree, O. genoveva larvae
were kept in their specially prepared galleries well away from the ant brood.
Therefore, it is suggested that the correct term to describe the excavated
cavity where Camponotus ants attend O. genoveva and O. zosine larvae
should be “gallery”.
Both species of Ogyris shelter in naturally occurring situations such as borer
holes, including those made by Endoxyla spp. (Lepidoptera: Cossidae), under
suitable slabs of bark (Waterhouse 1913, Kitching 1991), in hollow branches
and tree trunks (Waterhouse and Lyell 1908, McCubbin 1971, Le Souéf
1976), or even in an abandoned bird’s nest (J: Olive, pers. comm.). Both
Ogyris spp. larvae utilise these natural situations when available (see also
DeBaar 1994), even when colonies on nearby trees are in galleries and soil
conditions are suitable.
Camponotus ants were occasionally found renovating old galleries or
constructing new ones without larvae present. Presumably there were eggs
on the tree or small larvae on the mistletoes because on subsequent
examination O. genoveva larvae were present in the gallery. The ants may
excavate a number of chambers in the gallery that are not used by O.
genoveva larvae. Some of these vacant chambers are later occupied by O.
genoveva pupae, while others are sealed off and may contain dead O.
genoveva larvae (see also McCubbin 1971). Galleries are usually around 15-
20 cm deep but may be deeper (e.g. 30 cm or more).
In North Queensland, O. zosine larvae were observed attended by C.
subnitidus Mayr, which nests in hollow branches or constructs an arboreal
nest using accumulated debris. However, the ants still constructed galleries
at the base of the tree for immature O. zosine. Many of these galleries were
different from those constructed for O. genoveva, being closer to the surface
and assembled with more cemented material such as leaves, rolled bark and
other deposits. Gallery design varied according to terrain, weather conditions
and available materials and, to a lesser extent, the ant species.
Ant behaviour
Of the four species of sugar ant encountered in the study site near Grafton,
the behaviour of C. intrepidus was studied most thoroughly. It is a robust,
easily provoked ant, with majors capable of inflicting a painful bite. C.
intrepidus is darker than most other species of Camponotus, having a red-
brown to black head, deep red-brown thorax and black abdomen. When
there are thousands of these ants guarding a large colony of O. genoveva they
can be quite a daunting adversary to any creature looking for an easy meal.
Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3) 139
Some Camponotus ant species are not openly aggressive, even when handled.
By contrast, C. intrepidus were observed to quickly attack or repel arthropod
predators or intruders such as tree crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllacrididae) or
huntsman spiders (Araneida: Sparassidae). When danger threatens, ants herd
O. genoveva larvae to the lower levels in the gallery by gently nipping the
larvae to encourage them to move, occasionally picking them up or dragging
them down the gallery. Significant disturbances can result in dramatic
behavioural changes, whereby both C. intrepidus and C. consobrinus fiercely
attack anything that interferes with the gallery. While in this aggressive
state, Camponotus ants will even bite and kill dislodged O. genoveva and O.
zosine pupae or larvae. Such ant frenzy is very short lived. By contrast, C.
nigriceps and C. eastwoodi, when threatened, appeared to scatter and seek
shelter. This passive behaviour was reflected in the higher rate of parasitism
by braconid wasps, 100% (all 7 larvae) in the small colony attended by C.
eastwoodi. Parasitism rate in the largest C. intrepidus attended colony was
about 5% (8 out of approximately 150). Turner and Hawkeswood (1992)
noted a parasitism rate of 32% in two colonies of O. genoveva attended by C.
consobrinus.
Meat ants Iridomyrmex purpureus (Fr. Smith) prey upon the larvae of Ogyris
(Samson and O'Brien 1981, Thorn 1924) and, when meat ants are present,
less aggressive Camponotus species such as C. nigriceps and C. eastwoodi
will reduce the size of the gallery entrance to a hole just big enough for two
majors’ heads to block and defend against any intruder. Occasionally C.
nigriceps and C. eastwoodi completely seal up the gallery entrance with
cemented soil and debris, especially when meat ants threaten, or sometimes
during wet weather. C. intrepidus was not observed to be harassed by meat
ants nor did they close their gallery entrance.
Any ants that die or any other ant intruders that are killed are carried some
10-15 cm away from the gallery entrance and dumped. A small dark species
of ant (unidentified) was observed to take advantage of the graveyard food
source by setting up a nest in close proximity to the O. genoveva gallery
entrance. O. genoveva larval frass is similarly removed from the gallery (see
Burns and Rotherham 1969). Frass is grabbed as it is being expelled, even
when the O. genoveva larvae are feeding. At this point larval frass is usually
carried a short distance and dropped.
Most food collected on the host tree by Camponotus ants is taken directly
back to the ants’ nest. However, when termites are swarming the ants have
been observed to store a small number of them in an unoccupied gallery.
At Eatonsville, C. intrepidus construct their nest on exposed ground and
cover the entrance during the day with cemented soil and debris. About an
hour before sunset the nest entrance is opened and ant activity increases until
after dark when ants can be seen foraging over a wide area. Peak ant activity
is just after dark, when a constant stream of ants can be seen moving from the
140 Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3)
nest across the ground into the gallery and from there up the tree. Initially,
ant scouts proceed up the tree to the mistletoe well ahead of O. genoveva
larvae, clearing off any predators along the way. Ants regularly stand guard
on either side of the O. genoveva larval procession up the tree and especially
on the return journey. Less attention is paid to the small larvae while larger
larvae are constantly attended, with ants incessantly touching and stroking
over the entire dorsal surface of the larvae with their antennae. Ants have
also been observed gently pressing their open mandibles onto the dorsal ridge
of larger O. genoveva larvae and riding on the backs of larvae as they crawl
up the tree. Ants continually occupy the gallery even when all O. genoveva
larvae are out feeding. On one occasion, ants from two C. intrepidus nests
(presumably a polydomous colony) were observed entering the same gallery
to attend O. genoveva larvae.
Ogyris larval behaviour
Ogyris genoveva larvae accumulate just inside the gallery entrance before
dusk until the light level is sufficiently reduced for them to proceed. First
and second instar larvae usually emerge first, heading straight up the tree,
while some of the larger larvae linger outside the gallery entrance before
continuing. Most O. genoveva larvae have emerged from the gallery within
the first hour after sunset, with stragglers continuing to move up the tree until
around 2130h EST. Larvae always follow the same route up the tree while
laying down a fine silk thread and in larger colonies this trail can be clearly
visible (Common and Waterhouse 1981). The larvae begin returning to the
gallery around 0200h EST and continue until just after sunrise, with the
majority returning before dawn.
Whenever O. genoveva and O. zosine larvae are active, either in transit or
feeding, their tentacular organs are repeatedly everted (Samson 1987) whilst
being attended by the ants. Ballmer and Pratt (1991) noted that the eversible
organs apparently release chemicals which mimic ant alarm pheromone(s),
inducing heightened activity and aggressive posturing in the attendant ants.
However, these tentacular organs are rarely everted by O. genoveva or O.
zosine larvae when they are in the gallery. This observation lends support to
Ballmer and Pratt's contention, since Ogyris larvae would not require an
aggressive response inside the gallery. Inside the gallery individual ants, in a
torpid condition, often stand astride a pupa or larva and continuously monitor
the pupal or larval extremities with their slowly moving antennae.
First instar O. genoveva larvae are often found in the gallery with other
instars (they are easily overlooked). However, when the soil is waterlogged
or when other ant species dominate the substratum, most smaller O.
genoveva larvae group together under the base of the mistletoe while larger
larvae shelter opportunistically in suitable situations.
To account for large numbers of Ogyris in a gallery it has been suggested that
the ants may collect young Ogyris larvae from several trees and bring them
Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3) 141
to a single gallery (Common and Waterhouse 1981). This was not observed
during the study and is thought to be unlikely. Some large O. genoveva and
O. zosine colonies may be surrounded by trees with separate colonies, often
with a different species of Camponotus in attendance. In addition, a gallery
of more than 200 individuals of O. genoveva and an abandoned bird nest
containing more than 250 individuals of O. zosine have been observed in
situations completely isolated from other trees. It is more likely that large
larval numbers result from Ogyris females being drawn to a particular
mistletoe by the presence of ants or other oviposition cues. Conversely, in
the wet season, there are sometimes a larger number of host trees utilised by
O. genoveva, each with only very small numbers of larvae (ca. 1-4) present.
O. genoveva larvae are usually found under the bark at this time but in well
drained areas will be found in small galleries at the base of the tree (see also
Atkins 1993).
Ogyris genoveva larvae do not feed gregariously but spread out all over the
mistletoe, feeding on the edges of the leaves and on new shoots. They feed
for short periods punctuated by occasional intervals on the mistletoe stem. If
mistletoe leaves are in short supply, larvae will eat the bark off the mistletoe
stems.
Pupation usually occurs close to the entrance, within the gallery, on hard
surfaces such as the tree trunk, on the sides of or under rocks or on partly
buried bark. If suitable pupation sites are not available near the surface
Ogyris will pupate further down under the tree roots. Destruction of O.
genoveva pupal shells after emergence as reported by Common and
Waterhouse (1981) was not observed, however, very few O. genoveva pupal
remains were found.
Ogyris genoveva and O. zosine adults were mostly observed to emerge
between 0730-0930h EST. The imago moves slowly after emerging from the
pupa and expands its wings inside the gallery. Ants continue to monitor the
almost motionless adult by gently tapping it alternately with their antennae.
The attendant ants are generally in a very quiescent state but will
occasionally crawl over the head and expanding wings of the motionless
butterfly. When the butterfly’s wings have hardened it walks slowly,
stopping momentarily when approached by an ant, until it emerges from the
gallery entrance. In confined pupation sites (eg in borer holes or under bark),
the imago expands its wings as close as possible to the exit, usually in the
company of ants. Ants vacate the gallery after all O. genoveva adults have
emerged.
Unattended larvae or pupae were observed on three occasions. A single pupa
was found under bark at Leyburn, Qld. One prepupal and one first instar O.
genoveva larva were found sheltering under bark in the study area at
Eatonsville, close to three O. oroetes Hewitson pupae being attended by a
Crematogaster sp. ant. Similarly, an unattended pupa of O. zosine together
142 Australian Entomologist, 1997, 24 (3)
with numerous empty pupal shells was found under bark at Woodstock, west
of Townsville, Qld.
Discussion
Ogyris genoveva and O. zosine larvae benefit greatly from their association
with the Camponotus ants. The ants are constantly attending the larvae or
actively patrolling close by, protecting their symbionts from predators and
parasitoids. In addition, ants expend enormous amounts of energy preparing
and maintaining the galleries. The larvae of both Ogyris spp. appear to
manipulate the degree of protection and attention that the ants bestow on
them by regulating the release of chemicals from their tentacular (and other)
organs according to their needs. However, studies have shown that the ants
too profit from the association (see Fiedler and Saam 1995, Cushman et al.
1994, Pierce et al. 1987).
The ultimate survival of O. genoveva and O. zosine is, probably, dependent
upon the attendant ants, for without them the larva would be exposed to
formidable pressures from predators, parasitoids and the environment.
Acknowledgments
I wish to thank Mr. A. McArthur of the South Australian Museum for
identifying all the Camponotus species in this study. Thanks are extended to
Mr. R. Barrington and Mr. G. Thurston (both BBC London) for their creative
input and to Mr. J. Beale for helpful comments. Special thanks to Mr. O.
McLennan, Mr. A. Campbell and Mr. & Mrs. Heatherington for permission
to examine and film Ogyris colonies on their properties. Thanks also to Mr.
L. Matthews for valuable field assistance.
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ti. Fii yi
VS IPBI | Pee
E Y jis
ES Y /
New larval food plants for some butterflies (Lepidoptera) from northern and
central Queensland, Australia.
BASHFORD, R.
Records of insects associated with Acacia dealbata Link. in Tasmania.
CD-ROM REVIEW
Victorian butterfly database.
SANDS, D.P.A.
Alexfloydia repens Simon: a food plant for Ocybadistes knightorum Lambkin &
Donaldson (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) and their conservation significance.
REID, C.A.M.
New records of the genus Stenus Latreille (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) in Australia.
SCAMBLER, DJ.
Arcucornis, a new genus in the Psilomorphini (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) with
two new species.
SMITHERS, C.N.
Notes on the biology and annual cycle of the wood boring psocopteran Psilopsocus
mimulus Smithers (Psocoptera: Psilopsocidae).
EASTWOOD, R.
Field observations on the symbiotic interactions of Ogyris genoveva (Hewitson)
and Ogyris zosine (Hewitson) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) with Camponotus spp.
(Hymenoptera: Formicidae). 137
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